Jharsuguda: The state government’s most promising sporting activity, Mo School Hockey campaign, kicked off here on Thursday.
Players from DAV Public School, Jawahar Navdodaya Vidyalaya, St Mary High School Government High School, Jharsuguda and other schools, Reserve Police, Odisha Special Armed Forces (2nd Battalion), Bir Surendra Sai Airport participated in the exhibition match.
District Hockey Association president, Saroj Kumar Samal attended as chief guest of the match which was jointly organised by the newly formed District Hockey Association, district administration and district education department at OSAP Mini Ground.
A total of 16 teams, including 5 teams of girls and the rest are boys teams. The teams have undergone two months training and have learnt the nuances of the game, well said Samal.
With an aim to promote hockey at the grassroots level and groom talents, the state government had decided to set up hockey clubs in at least one school in each of the 30 districts under the ‘Mo School Hockey Club’ programme. Each club will have separate flags, with boys’ and girls’ wings.
SP Vikas Chandra Das joined the event as a distinguished guest and expressed hope for a brighter future for hockey in the district.
The SP and international hockey player Manju Lakra were felicitated on the occasion.
Under the Mo School Hockey Campaign, 25 physical education teachers from various schools in the district have already been trained. These teachers will train students in all schools on hockey in the coming days, said Jharsuguda Collector Saroj Kumar Samal. At least 30 students will be selected from every school and trained in the game.
