Special Goalkeepers Camp was a good initiative of Hockey India, says PR Sreejesh

In a major initiative to strengthen Indian posts in both senior and junior men’s tournaments, Hockey India held a camp especially for the goalkeepers under the famous Dutch goalkeeping trainer Dennis van de Pol in Bengaluru. Along with senior team members PR Sreejesh and Krishan Bahadur Pathak, youngsters like Suraj Karkera, Jugraj Singh, Paras Malhotra, Jagdeep Dayal, Pawan, Prashant Kumar Chauhan and Sahil Kumar Nayak also joined the camp which started on July 1.

Sreejesh hailed the initiative by the board and explained that the players focussed on important basics of goalkeeping during the camp. The senior pro also mentioned that the camp will make the youngsters aware of the needs at the senior international tournaments.

"We focused on important ground basics, and there was a lot of emphasis on PCs and shootout scenarios. This was a good initiative taken by Hockey India as it helps in our preparations for Olympic Qualifiers later this year,” Sreejesh was quoted as saying by Hockey India. 

“Dennis was particularly good in explaining the minor mistakes we would make. All the sessions were engaging and I am sure this will only help build the goalkeeper pool in India with youngsters understanding the requirements at the International level.”

Dennis van de Pol is currently with Drijver Goalie Academy in the Netherlands as well as the KNHB (Koninklijke Nederlandse Hockey Bond). The trainer also takes care of the Dutch national junior players and visits different countries around the globe for training on the invitation. Pol explained about the Indian players and praised their skill and eagerness to learn various aspects of goalkeeping.

"Initially before I came here I was thinking that there may be some disparity between Sreejesh, Krishan, Suraj and the remaining goalkeepers called for the camp because they don't necessarily have the kind of experience as these senior athletes but they surprised me with their skill, talent and eagerness to learn.

"Someone as Senior as Sreejesh too would ask a lot of questions and be inquisitive about how he can further improve in certain areas. His enthusiasm easily rubs off on other players too and it's good to see younger goalkeepers look up to him. We do have such short camps back in the Netherlands with a mix of Senior and Junior team goalkeepers and this really helps build performance,” the Dutch trainer explained.