State chalks out plan to restore pride in hockey

Following the abysmal performance of the Indian Hockey team in the London Olympics, the state government has chalked out a long-term plan to restore the lost pride of Indian hockey in international arena and to again make Punjab a nursery for the sport.

Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, who is also the state's sports minister, visited hockey stadiums in London on Sunday. He was accompanied by Finance Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa and MLA and former Olympian Pargat Singh.

Saying that he was hurt by the lack-luster performance in hockey, Sukhbir said: "The government has okayed a Rs 418-crore plan to strengthen sports infrastructure in Punjab, besides nurturing sports talent right from Class I. We have to understand that competition in every game has become very intense and players will have to move two steps ahead of every country to survive."

Sukhbir, who also met president of the International Hockey Federation, said: "We have already constructed seven hockey stadiums with world class astroturfs' and seven more will be added in three years. The Mohali hockey stadium will also have blue and pink astroturf used for the London Olympics."

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