Bareilly players go chak de on National Sports Day

Manyaekta.Gugliani@timesgroup.com
On National Sports Day on August 29, Bareilly players remembered hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand and played friendly hockey matches at Bareilly’s sports stadium. We spoke to players about the renewal interest of people in hockey and India’s medal tally in Asian Games 2018. To mark this day, city players also played friendly football and cricket matches and gathered much motivation from fellow players and the audience.
‘The performance of Indian women hockey team at Asian Games has motivated us’
State-level hockey player Muskaan Yadav, who lives in Sanjay Nagar, says, “For a hockey player like me, National Sports Day is like my birthday. We practise hockey regularly but playing a match on Major Dhyan Chand’s birth anniversary was our way to pay our tribute to the legend. He is an inspiration.”
Game on
Muskaan adds, “Though hockey still needs to be promoted in many areas of the country, the sports is on a path to revival, thanks to Indian Women’s Hockey team who created history at the ongoing Asian Games by reaching the finals for the first time in last 20 years. Their achievement motivates us.”
A national-level hockey player and a resident of Sanjay Nagar, Aakriti Mishra, says, “It was a great experience to play hockey matches on National Sports Day with different teams and players. I still feel that many players are still unsure about pursuing the sports full-time. I hope India’s performance at the Asian Games changes this perspective.”
Players took part in cricket matches in Bareilly
Mahendra Singh, a state-level football player, says, “National Sports Day is all about giving priority to fitness and sports. To mark the day, we played cricket and football matches and displayed our gaming skills. We also garnered much appreciation and support from our fellow players, family and viewers.”
‘It’s important to inculcate sports in our lives’
Hockey coach PS Chheti, says, “It’s high time that government provides proper facilities to hockey players. They should also give job security to players. It is important that we inculcate sports in our lives. Schools must teach and encourage children to take up sports.” Speaking about India’s performance at the Asian Games, Chheti says, “India is shining at the Asian Games and has taken the top honours. The players’ commendable performance at the Games is acting as the biggest inspiration for our players.”
Football matches were also organised at the event