Kurseong, 23rd May: Former Indian hockey team player Bharat Chhetri met with GTA Chief Anit Thapa in Kurseong today to discuss the establishment of a hockey academy in the GTA region. Chhetri expressed his desire to provide the children of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration area with opportunities to participate in state and national hockey games and to create educational and employment prospects through sports. He emphasized that there is a lack of platforms to nurture hockey players in the GTA region, despite the presence of talented and enthusiastic children.
GTA Chief Executive Anit Thapa also expressed enthusiasm for the establishment of a hockey academy and promptly instructed the relevant officer to address the matter. He acknowledged the talent of the local children, highlighting the achievements of a hockey player from St. Teresa’s School who excelled in Odisha. Thapa emphasized the potential of building a strong hockey team in the GTA through proper training.
Bharat Chhetri, a resident of 16 Mile, Kalimpong, is a renowned former player of the Indian national hockey team. He has achieved notable accolades including gold medals in the 2001 and 2006 Hockey World Cups, a bronze medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, and participation in the 2012 Olympic Games. Chhetri was honoured with the Dhyan Chand Award in 2008 and has received prestigious recognitions such as the Bang Ratna (2016) and Bang Bhushan (2022). Additionally, he has served as a coach for both the Indian women’s and men’s hockey teams for a period of four years.