Pillay's project suffers setback

MUMBAI, JULY 21. Dhanraj Pillay's hockey academy project in Mumbai suffered an initial setback with the Bombay Hockey Association refusing to allow its astroturf facility to be used for training. The Indian striker and Padmashri awardee's written request for use of the city's only artificial surface on a pay-to-play basis from September onwards has been rejected by the BHA, which has announced plans to start its own academy at the venue sometime in the future.

``I am allergic to individuals starting academies in their name. If Dhanraj Pillay wants to coach, he is welcome to do it under the association's banner. He can also help our academy project,'' said Mr. Bakshi, denying that the timing of BHA's academy plan had anything to do with the decision to deny permission to Dhanraj Pillay. ``We have to take all aspects into consideration, funding for example, before allowing our turf to be used by a private party. His idea of collecting used cartridges and handing them over to a Dutch company in exchange for money is not as simple as it sounds.''

Incidentally, Pillay has already launched an academy on similar lines in Bangalore recently (July 12), in association with former Indian goalkeeper Ashish Ballal at the Karnataka State Hockey Association (KSHA) stadium turf. Letscorp International, the Dutch company providing the funding, was represented at the launch by Mr. Klass Wieranga, its Asia head and Mr.Sandeep Parwal, CEO, India.

According to the BHA president, the association has already sounded out ex-Olympians Govind Perumal, Gurbux Singh Grewal and former international referee Peter Menezes as likely candidates for joining the coaches panel. Perumal, who played in the 1952 Helsinki and 1956 Melbourne Olympics, has trained bank teams and amateur clubs, while Gurbux coached Western Railway to the inter- Railway men's hockey title this season.

After rejecting Pillay's proposal to pay for use of BHA's turf for his academy trainees, the association has asked the 32-year- old triple Olympian to attend a camp at the same venue for selecting the Maharashtra team for the forthcoming National Games in Punjab.

- Our Special Correspondent

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