THE HOCKEY KIDS: (L-R) Santosh, Subrata, Sonap and Shahosh can't hide their joy as they turn up for their match against Khagrachhari yesterday at the Maulana Bhasani Hockey Stadium.Photo: Anisur Rahman

Just as the names Subrata Ekka, Santosh Kisku, Sonap Tirky, and Shahosh Tigya may seem unusual in the hockey circuit, so do the presence of these four schoolchildren on a hockey field full of adults. Yet they are playing the game of the big boys, wielding sticks that almost dwarf them, running around the Astroturf of the Maualana Bhasani Hockey Stadium and most importantly, playing with a smile and enjoying whatever part they can play.
When hockey struggles for mere existence in the country, such scenes do encourage followers of the game. The 2nd Tribal Hockey Tournament is such an initiative which gave these boys a chance to mix and play with the big boys. All four of them are representing the Panchagar District in the five-team tournament that kicked off on Saturday.
The training for the tournament started three months ago in Dinajpur, where the four of them were picked up from a group of 12 by the district coach Haji Mohammad Fazlul Islam and given an 18-day training programme where they learnt the basic arts of the game.
And they have not disappointed the coach. They have been used as substitutes and won some accolades for their enthusiasm and keenness on the game. “There is no shortage of enthusiasm among these boys. There is also talent among them. They only need to be nurtured,” said Fazlul.
Amidst many negatives surrounding the game and the powers that be, such an initiative by the Hockey Federation and its Development Committee is a praiseworthy one. Now the onus rests on them to carry on the good work.