AI Generated Summary
- Aspiring hockey players at the Surjit Hockey Academy in Jalandhar received a rare opportunity to sharpen their skills under the guidance of Dutch hockey icon Floris Jan Bovelander, who conducted a special training session during his visit to Punjab for the ongoing Asian Champions Trophy.
- Akashdeep, a 16-year-old player from Kapurthala and a member of the recent U-18 Asia Cup-winning team, described the opportunity to train with Bovelander as a memorable milestone in his sporting journey.
- The Dutch veteran, who represented the Netherlands in 241 international matches and scored 215 goals between 1985 and 1996, was instrumental in his country’s triumphs at the 1990 Hockey World Cup and the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
Aspiring hockey players at the Surjit Hockey Academy in Jalandhar received a rare opportunity to sharpen their skills under the guidance of Dutch hockey icon Floris Jan Bovelander, who conducted a special training session during his visit to Punjab for the ongoing Asian Champions Trophy.
The former Olympic and World Cup champion, widely regarded as one of hockey’s finest drag-flick specialists, interacted with young trainees at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium, offering practical demonstrations and technical advice on penalty-corner execution.
For several youngsters, including Akashdeep, Harsimran Singh and Akshit Salaria, the interaction was particularly exciting, as they had previously relied on videos of the Dutch legend to study his techniques.
Akashdeep, a 16-year-old player from Kapurthala and a member of the recent U-18 Asia Cup-winning team, described the opportunity to train with Bovelander as a memorable milestone in his sporting journey.
Harsimran Singh, a national-level player from Amritsar, said the session reinforced the importance of approaching the game with confidence rather than allowing competitive pressure to affect performance.
Another trainee, Akshit Salaria from Pathankot, gained valuable insights into the mechanics of drag-flicking, particularly body positioning, ball control and the coordinated movements required to generate power and accuracy.
Beyond technical instruction, Bovelander encouraged the youngsters to enjoy the sport and approach every training session with enthusiasm. He emphasised that players should not be afraid of making mistakes and urged coaches to create a positive learning environment.
The Dutch veteran, who represented the Netherlands in 241 international matches and scored 215 goals between 1985 and 1996, was instrumental in his country’s triumphs at the 1990 Hockey World Cup and the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
During his visit, he also acknowledged Punjab’s enduring contribution to Indian hockey, recalling his encounters with players from the state during his international career. He praised India and Pakistan for their historical role in strengthening hockey’s global appeal.
Bovelander, who visited Punjab following an invitation from Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, also interacted with 37 coaches as part of the training programme. The Punjab Sports Department felicitated him for his contribution to international hockey.
For the academy’s young players, the experience offered more than an opportunity to meet a celebrated sporting figure. It provided first-hand exposure to international expertise and renewed motivation to pursue excellence on the hockey field.
