Hockey talents ‘drained’ from Orissa:Orissa Govt.must act immediately.

It’s scarcity amid plenty in Orissa. Again, the State is going to face dearth of talent as at least four budding hockey players of Sundargarh district are up for grabs.In its 23-year history, Panposh Sports Hostel (PSH) here, the cradle of hockey, has produced as many as 34 internationals including big names like India captain Prabodh Tirkey, Lazarus Barla, Ignace Tirkey and Jyoti Sunita Kullu.But not a single player ever played for Orissa in the National championship. The reason is not far to seek.Circumstances forced them to serve the States of their postings. Ironically, nobody else than these tribal players, for whom hockey is a source of livelihood, are at immense pain for not being able to play for their own State.Blame it on the lack of vision for failing to stop this ‘talent drain’. Sources said latest junior internationals Sameer Baxla, Amardeep Ekka and Anand Tirkey of PSH have received feelers from Indian Railways to join at Secunderabad, while Manjeet Kullu of SAI Hostel at Sundargarh has already left.Hockey lovers are surprised that the State Government is not doing enough to stop the ‘talent drain’. Former Olympian Michael Kindo summed it up: ‘We are sowing the seeds, but others are enjoying the fruit.’A coach at the PSH felt that the Government must take the initiative to provide employment in the Public Sector Undertakings and ensure players do stay in Orissa.
There is no denying the fact that after years of strenuous efforts, those talented are groomed to become quality players, but poachers tiptoe with the lure of services.
Senior women internationals Binita Xess, Annarita Kerketta, Sarita Lakra, Subhadra Pradhan and Poonam Toppo are with South Eastern Railway (SER) and have no option but to play for Jharkhand with their postings at Ranchi.
‘Why the SER is not posting them in Orissa,’ asks Arjuna Awardee Kindo. Moreover, hockey does not seem to be taken seriously in Orissa as regular senior international Nilima Kujur spent nearly four years as a constable in Orissa before switching over to Jabalpur for the Railways.