Hockey needs more structure, discipline

International Hockey Federation (FIH) Coach Shiv Jagday has completed an extensive two-week training course for coaches and national players a release from the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) has stated. The course for the players ran from June 7-20, and was attended by approximately 50 boys and girls between the ages of 13-19 while 35 individuals attended the coaching sessions. Topics covered during Jagday’s visit included core basic skills such as stance, footwork and first touch, passing and receiving, running with the ball, triangular play, team concepts and using ‘Mini-Hockey’ as a tool to develop the game in segments, the release stated.

International Hockey Federation (FIH) Coach Shiv Jagday makes a point to the junior players during one of his coaching sessions at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground

President of the GHB, Philip Fernandes praised the training programme stating that he considers it of great value to Guyana’s hockey. Fernandes indicated that the GHB is in discussion with Jagday about making his visit an annual feature on the hockey calendar with a long term plan for developing even stronger junior and senior teams in four years’ time. Upon completion of his two-week training clinic, Jagday noted that there is much natural talent waiting to be groomed correctly.

“As I said since my first visit, there is great athleticism, intelligence and adaptability among the Guyanese athletes.  They just need more discipline, structure in sport and in life and to develop a routine where training is concerned. The attitude cannot just be to train whenever the mood suits,” Jagday was quoted as saying.