Dhanraj Pillay sets out for ‘golden’ project

The star plans hockey development programme under Players Forum

Express News Service

Mumbai, May 27: Indian hockey star Dhanraj Pillay may not have found favour with the National selectors but the flamboyant striker’s latest fad is definitely going to find favour with the followers of the sport. The 32-year-old Olympian has come out with an ambitious plan — of starting a hockey development programme in Mumbai. What generates interest in Pillay’s project is his unique concept to generate the funds.

Under a banner called Players Forum, the project will be fuelled by empty inkjet and laser toner cartridges used in printers. He has developed a box resembling a cartridge and will be going around various organisations requesting them to donate the used cartridges. He would then be sending the ‘waste’ to an eco-friendly organisation LetsCorp Europe b.v., based in The Netherlands. Every cartridge would fetch Pillay 1.25 Deutsche Mark, which is roughly equal to Rs 25.

In all he needs around 60,000 cartridges a year to meet the expenses for his plan. ‘‘The money from this exchange of ‘waste’ will be used to tap and train hockey talent,’’ says Pillay.

As many as 1000 boxes will be sent to various offices and companies with the collection being done on a monthly basis. ‘‘Even if each box fetches me eight to ten cartridges a month, it would be more than sufficient,’’ observes Pillay, who has turned out in India colours 340 times besides featuring in three Olympics.

Elaborating on his objectives, Pillay said, ‘‘Players Forum has already chalked out a goal-specific, time-bound programme that will be put into operation in the form of an year-round coaching camp in Mumbai. The Bombay Hockey Association (BHA) have been approached for use of the city’s only astroturf surface on a pay-to-play basis.

‘‘Fifty trainees (25 boys and 25 girls in the 16 to 20 years category) will be shortlisted for the first phase of the camp between September 2001 and August 2002.’’

The BHA on it its part would be putting Pillay’s proposal to its managing committee before taking any decision. ‘‘He (Pillay) hs given the proposal to our president (Dilbagh Singh Bakshi) yesterday. Something should materliase by next week,’’ remarked PS Sujlana, the BHA vice-president.
Exorting all sportlovers to come forward to assist him, Pillay is looking to 300 days of extensive training to his wards. ‘‘I’m also looking forward to the guidance of the senior players and Olympians of the city — Merwyn Fernandes, MM Somaiya and Mir Ranjan Negi to name a few.’’

‘Your waste is as good as our gold’ is the catch phrase of his project with the ultimate aim being to produce Olympians.

What made him undertake this ambitious plan? ‘‘My experiences of playing for India and the professional leagues in England, France, Germany and Malaysia should be passed on to the next generation. It is difficult to think a life without hockey. The academy is a step in this direction,’’ says Pillay, who is also hoping to make a comeback into the National team for the World Cup to be staged in Kuala Lumpur from February 25, next year. ‘‘I have recovered from the knee injury. I have also informed the IHF (the Indian Hockey Federation) about by condition and await their instructions to join the camp.’’ The Indian probables are presently undergoing a training camp at Bangalore.

While Pillay grapples with his dual aspirations of making it to the World Cup and his dream project, budding hockey players in the city have definitely something to cheer about.