Towards a 'Sporty' India

The very premise of sports education kicks off at the school-level in the garb of physical education. Despite the innumerous wonders of playing sports, it continues to be brushed aside as a matter of lesser significance. That physical education is often neglected in India is pretty unsettling, and schools need to realize the importance of physical education in the curriculum, says a player from the top hockey team.

Wrong Notions

One of the most prominent reasons why physical education is lackadaisical in structure and is often pushed to the backburner is that schools don't really understand sports in whole. It is often considered as a source of recreation, nothing less, nothing more. So in short, sports is only there for fun, and it should be taken in such a manner only. As flawed as these notions are, there arises a need to outgrow the frivolities for the sake of sportsmanship in literal sense. 

It is an undisputed fact that physical education and sports create healthy individuals and a healthy society. Sports are shell-shot method to contributing to the nation-building process. It is unnerving that despite hockey being our national sport, we haven't done as much to raise its bar, to ameliorate its deteriorating condition. 

Now arises the why. Why couldn't we lend sports the credibility, the worth it deserves? The budgetry allocation of sports, says a team player from hockey leagues in India, is woeful, and shoddy.  There is an acute sense of nepotism in the sports sector, owing to which many qualified sportsmen are left in a lurch, wallowing in denial. 

Pitching in more for modern facilities like playground, equipment, strategies, techniques and qualified coaches can help pulling sports from the dire state. Establishing universities that only look into sports can help exalting it on a national level, too, says a team player from hockey team India. 

Yoga Exercises For Hockey Players

People deserve a break from their respective work, but apparently, hockey players don’t. The pre-season beginnings can leave the players in a void and their flexibilities and stamina in a rut. But a little bit of yoga can surely help them keep up on the game along with maintaining form and function during the season. Here is how! Have a look.

High Lunge

This pose will help strengthen the groins and help build stamina. Lift the torso off the leg so as to allow the spine to elongate further. Push the shoulders away from the ears and try to reach out forward using the upper body to take on the explosive action of skating forward. The Delhi Waverider hockey team religiously follows this pose for great results.

Plank

Plank is the most useful of exercises and serves as a great core strengthener. You can follow this yoga exercise by actively pushing the heels back while hugging the thigh muscles to bones. Keep the breath slow and steady and make sure that your neck is in continuation with the long spine by tucking the chin towards your chest.

Warrior-2 Balance

The balancing act sure helps many score the points! It is splendid, for reasons more than one. The forward reach of the torso and extension of the back leg helps one engage the core and lengthen the spine. The gluteus medius is also engaged by opening a leg up which further helps in pushing action of a breakaway skate.

Downward dog

This pose helps strengthen the shoulders. It is a great way to protect against dislocation. But, dolphin needs to be practised with great care. You need to ensure that elbows are parallel and directly under the shoulders. Go carefully about this pose if you have rotator cuff injuries. Stay in forward facing dog stretch for better results.