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Secret behind champs' success

Food for thought
Last Updated 05 May 2017, 21:29 IST

What transpires on the field of play is only a part of a champion team’s journey.
The meticulous preparations that happen behind the scenes to keep a team rolling often take a back seat but those contributions are invaluable to a team’s success.

A look into Namdhari XI’s progress to the top of the podium in the Sub-junior National men hockey championship (B Division) offers interesting insights in this regard.

The team is based out of Santnagar, a small village in Sirsa, Haryana. This hockey-crazy town has produced the likes of former Indian captain Sardar Singh, Malak Singh and Gurmail Singh.

They practice twice a day in Santnagar ground where every day eager youngsters throng to parade their skills, keen to make a mark in the game they love.

The results are there for everyone to see as Namdhari, while staying unbeaten in the tournament, registered wins by massive margins. In six matches, they scored 57 goals. They defeated Goans Hockey 20-0 and drubbed Hockey Puducherry 15-0.

Since all the players are vegetarian, they have their cook travelling with the team, at all levels of the game. The cook, Gurdev Singh, has been with the Namdharis for the past 15 years. In this tournament, he has travelled back and forth from Bidadi (where their farm is located) to Bengaluru everyday to ensure that the players are given nutritious food.

“The players don’t eat outside so it is my job to arrange healthy food for them. I make paneer. I ensure they get milk and almonds,” said Gurdev, “I don’t mind. It’s my job. So I do it,” he added, on being asked about the 39-kms journey he has had to undertake daily.
Namdhari’s coach Harvinder Singh acknowledged his efforts. “We always take him with us wherever we go because we want our players to eat healthy food.”

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(Published 05 May 2017, 21:29 IST)

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