Govt, HAM hail India for hockey equipment

Indian High Commission on Friday donated hockey equipment to the Hockey Association of Malawi (HAM) in Lilongwe.

Indian High Commissioner Anurag Bushan, who handed over the equipment comprising 200 hockey sticks, said the donation is courtesy of the Hockey Federation of India.

“This is a modest gift from Hockey Federation of India through a request made by the High Commission here. We hope it will help develop hockey.

“Hockey is a beautiful game and very popular in India. This is a start of our relationship with sports authorities in this country,” he said.

HAM vice-president Khrishna Achuthan thanked the Indian High Commissioner and Hockey Federation of India for the donation.

“This equipment will be distributed across the control for the development of the sport. Hockey equipment is very expensive and many clubs in the country cannot afford it. We have many areas where we can work on together to develop the sport such as infrastructure,” he said.

 Achuthan briefed the High Commissioner on the stadium project currently underway in Blantyre as evidence of the commitment his association has to ensure the sport develops.

Malawi National Council of Sports acting executive secretary Henry Mereka, who was part of the entourage that paid a call at the Indian High Commissioner, said the equipment will go along way in developing the sport.

“The challenge that we have in Malawi is infrastructure and equipment is not spared.

“Hockey is a sport that requires  special equipment. Without sticks you can’t play hockey. Hockey is into development of youngsters and youngsters can’t afford. “We really are grateful to our friends in India for this equipment,” said Mereka