Tips and tricks for all seasons
V. Aravind is returning to his hometown with a wealth of tips, all jotted down in his pocket diary over the 10 days. “Journaling in my diary at the end of the day about the important hockey lessons I learnt is a practice I follow since enrolling with Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu. So when this opportunity to volunteer for FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup came up, I made sure I carried a small book in my pocket to take down important lessons learnt on the field which I discuss/ clarify with my coach,” says Aravind.
V. Aravind (right) with coach N. Muthu Kumar
The 23-year-old is a promising hockey player and was part of the core team in the Junior India team in 2022. He had seven of his friends playing for India this time and is hoping to get a chance next time. A native of Kovilpatti in Thutookudi distict which is a major hub for hockey in Tamil Nadu, Aravind got inspired to take up the sport seeing his uncle play for the state.
“If we had come as an audience, we would only watch the match and leave. As a volunteer, there are invaluable lessons we could pick up,” he says, adding that 21 from SDAT – Kovilpatti were selected to volunteer for the World Cup in Chennai and 10 in Madurai.
The kind of warm-up international players go through before a match, planning and strategy and the body language are some important lessons Aravind is taking back with him.
His fan moment arrived when he got to see Spain’s coach Maximiliano Jorge Caldas. “I had goosebumps seeing him up close; he has been an inspiration for many hockey players because of the way he has groomed the team,” says a thrilled Aravind.
Another key lesson for Aravind is the importance of speaking English. He elaborates: “Our coach N. Muthu Kumar would always ask us to pick up English skills but I did not take the advice seriously. Now I really understand why he would say that, because when you have international players and coaches coming to your country you have some deep questions on the sport to ask then; and language can be a stumbling block.”
Learning how to multitask
Bhagavathi Priyadharshini R is a student of law at SRM School of Law in Kattankulathur
This law student from SRM School of Law in Kattankulathur has left the stadium with crucial skills, those involving analysis and critical thinking, and they are going to help her in the classroom.
“In law, you learn to deploy various things and manage them with ease. Such were the practical lessons I learnt in the field working with various teams including media and technical for close to 10 days,” says Bhagavathi Priyadharshini R, a third year student.
A volleyball player at school, Bhagavathi signed up as a volunteer for the love of hockey and the new skills she wanted to develop. For some days she juggled exams and matches, being in the field in the afternoon.
“Every day, we are either placed with a new team or given a new task. A conclave organised at Kalaivanar Arangam with top 20 hockey coaches as speakers threw up inspiring talks,” she says.
The quarter-finals clash between India and Belgium was one of the best matches she has watched. She says, “The stadium was packed; the nail-biting finish made the match memorable. The best part of the whole event was watching the matches up close.”
In sports, seeing is learning
R. Mumanja is pursuing sociology at MOP Vaishnav College for Women
R. Mumanja waited a full year to get selected into SDAT to pursue hockey. Currently pursuing second year Sociology at MOP Vaishnav College and staying at the SDAT hostel, Mumanja knows the importance of not missing any opportunity in the sport. Her fascination for the ‘stick game’ began after she accompanied her brother who used to be part of every match played in her hometown Kovilpatti.
Mumanja was among the volunteers during the flag-bearing ceremony all the days of the tournament. Her role would end after the national anthems of the two competing countries were played. From there, a self-imposed role as observer of the sights and sounds on and off the field would begin.
Every country had a different style, right from how they warm up to the food they eat before the match.
“I am greatly impressed with the French team. We cheer after we score a goal, but those standing outside the field would keep cheering every tackle of their players including a defence move, which is encouraging,” says the 19-year-old who has captained the team at the sub junior level and played for Hockey India Junior National Tournament and Khelo India.
The German team, she says, is rigorous with the warm-up they follow before a match. And the Spanish team has meticulously put together a list of what the players should do during off time. “I noticed this bench that had a schedule of things players must do, probably drafted by the manager and psychologist,” says Mumanja who is a mid-fielder. “We practise at the same ground where the World Cup was held, so we are going to implement all that we saw and learnt.”
Published – December 15, 2025 10:57 am IST
