New Delhi: Hockey India (HI) has entered into a historic three-year partnership with Sports Authority of India (SAI), extending its commitment towards helping the sport regain its position in the country.


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This would mark the beginning of a new era for Indian hockey under the aegis of HI, enabling SAI to invest in innovative programs developing India as a world class hockey nation.


The three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which was signed today at the SAI office between the two bodies, acknowledges hockey as a medium for the development and promotion of values in the youth of the nation.


It also states that SAI is desirous of promoting hockey, which is amongst the world's most popular sports, as a tool for youth development and excellence in sports.


SAI along with HI in the next three years would be working towards creating a lasting legacy for the sport by developing hockey coaching system, talent identification and infrastructure for inculcating positive values in today's youth through hockey, education, health and other allied areas.


Speaking on the occasion, Hockey India President, Narinder Batra said: "It's a very proud moment for all of us here at Hockey India today. SAI has always been there with us for our support, but this MOU only marks the beginning of a new era for hockey in India. It also shows that our team's hard work and dedication haven't gone unnoticed and the government does see a huge value that the sport can bring towards youth development in India.


"I am confident, that in the next three years we will identify many budding youngsters for our junior and senior programs, which will only further our cause of making Indian hockey world class."


SAI also aims to help HI strengthen its coach development program by providing domestic coaches with internationally recognised hockey coaching courses and license certification to the National Institute of Sports (NIS) students.


According to the memorandum, dedicated SAI coaches would become hockey scouts at pre-identified areas and scouting trials by HI national team coaches would be organised for various youth age groups at select SAI centres.


"SAI is committed to invest in developing hockey within India. We aim to develop innovative programs and create avenues for a fruitful and rewarding career in the sport of hockey through this association. I am hopeful of some very positive results in the course of the next three years and eager to see Indian hockey rise to the top-spot in the world hockey map," said SAI Director General, Injeti Srinivas.


A host of positive new developments have also been announced through this memorandum, aiming to strengthen the talent pool for Indian hockey in the longer run.