Such is the plight of those who play any sport in India other than cricket that they often have to beg for funds to pursue their dreams.
The condition of the Indian Ice Hockey team is no different. Yes, India has an ice hockey team and it is set to participate in International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Challenge Cup of Asia Division 1 in Kuwait starting April 18.
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It is so tough to push sports like Ice Hockey when cricket takes up all sponsor budgets. We have a national team and are begging for money.
— Ice Hockey India (@icehockeyindia) March 5, 2015
The problem is that they do not have the Rs.12 lakh they need for the entire trip.
Please support our Ice Hockey team travelling to Kuwait. We need to raise funds for the team. A 20k donation will cover costs for 1 player.
— Ice Hockey India (@icehockeyindia) March 5, 2015
The Ice Hockey Association of India has managed to collect Rs.7.5 lakh till now.
Lack of funds means that the players have to often pay for their own gear and trips. Each player’s gear costs anywhere between Rs.25,000 to Rs.50,000.
Lack of ice hockey rinks mean that the players have to train at the Ambience Mall in Gurgaon, which has a rink one-fourth the standard size of an Olympic rink.
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Here is a video of the Indian boys training.
Day 3 – Indian Ice Hockey Team Training Hard for CCOA, 2015 at iSkate Gurgaon ! @icehockeyindia #SupportIceHockey pic.twitter.com/ftLzo1GCRN
— Samarth Sharma (@azzizma) April 4, 2015
The Indian ice hockey team – consisting mostly of army jawans from Ladakh, members of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and local students – is coached by a former trainer of an American ice-hockey club in Long Island, Adam Sherlip, reports the Economic Times.
They need funds to win medals. If we truly wish to promote sports as a culture in India, we must provide financial support to such sports.
Here is what you can do to help the Indian Ice Hockey Team win laurels for the country: Donate at BitGiving for Indian Ice Hockey team.
Watch this video to see how popular Ice Hockey can become in India.
