Tata Trusts, a philanthropic organisation that works towards the holistic advancement of communities, has announced partnership with Bovelander and Bovelander B.V and One Million Hockey legs, Netherlands, to promote hockey.
Tata Trusts announced the launch of Tata Hockey Academy in Jamshedpur on Thursday with the launch of the official logo and gear. The launch witnessed the presence of eminent dignitaries such as Burzis Taraporevala, secretary and chief accountant, Tata Trusts, Sunil Bhaskaran, vice president, corporate services, Tata Steel and hockey legend Floris Jan Bovelander, founder, Bovelander Hockey Academy.
The partnership with Bovelander Hockey Academy (BHA), founded by Floris Jan Bovelander, Olympic and World Hockey Champion will help in re-establishing the sport by matching global expertise with existing field level implementation structures and key partnerships. Floris Jan Bovelander is also on the executive board of One Million Hockey legs, whose mission is to increase the number of children and adults playing hockey and developing sustained passion for hockey by introducing the game to pre and early teenage children.
Burzis Taraporewala, secretary and chief accountant, said, “We are elated to have such great partners on board and with one of the legends of this sport. Through this academy, we hope that Mr. Bovelander’s expertise will not only help talented young people grow and realise their talent but also imbibe a sense of true sportsmanship, competitive spirit, as well as the art of winning and losing. Sports is a true vehicle in bringing about social change and through this initiative, we hope to leverage the sport of hockey (which is enjoyed by a lot of our people) and reach out to a wider canvas to enhance our programmes across the education sector.”
Floris Jan Bovelander, Olympic and world hockey champion, assistant coach to the Dutch national team and member of the executive board of One Million Hockey legs said, “Tata Hockey Academy is going to create a meaningful impact at the grass root level - both in the field of this fantastic game of hockey as well as the lives of the people who are interested in this game. India boasts of an immense talent pool; and with the necessary institutional structure and guidance, we hope to bring a sustainable structure for developing world class players by identifying their skill-sets and talent early on”.
The launch preceded a Hockey Clinic for 40 children in the J.R.D. Tata Sports Complex with both Indian and Dutch hockey stars. The programme already has Kiki Collot d’Escury, Dutch hockey star and Jharkhand’s own hockey legends - Sylvanus Dungdung, Manohar Topno and Asunta lakra as ambassadors.