New goal for women's hockey, grooming 24 goalkeepers

A special goalkeeper training camp under the BRAC Bank-sponsored 'Aparajeyo Alo Women's Hockey Development Programme' will be formally inaugurated at the Maulana Bhashani Hockey Stadium in the capital today (Wednesday), two days after the kick off.

The inaugural ceremony is scheduled to begin at 11 am with senior officials of BRAC Bank and the Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF), along with former star hockey players, expected to attend.

The initiative aims to develop grassroots women's hockey by nurturing young talent and improving players' technical skills. As part of the programme, each participant is being provided with a complete set of professional goalkeeper gear and a bag, a hockey stick and balls for practice, courtesy of BRAC Bank.

Following the successful completion of the first two phases of the nationwide programme, a total of 24 promising female goalkeepers selected from 22 districts are now undergoing intensive training at the camp.

The participants range from Class VII students to those studying at the higher secondary level.

The residential camp is being held at the Maulana Bhashani Hockey Stadium under the overall supervision of the BHF with accommodation and meals arranged for the trainees. The players undergo rigorous training sessions twice a day, in the morning and afternoon.

The camp is being conducted under the guidance of two experienced trainers to help the participants develop skills to international standards.

Former national women's hockey team goalkeeper Sumi Akter is serving as the lead trainer. �"BSS