Olympic Gold Medallist Somaiya Attends Launch Ceremony
Key Points:
- Hockey Ace Foundation inaugurates girls’ wing at Naval Tata Hockey Academy
- Ruchi Narendran attends as chief guest, Somaiya as guest of honour
- New wing to offer modern training and residential facilities for girls
JAMSHEDPUR – The Hockey Ace Foundation formally inaugurated the girls’ wing of the Naval Tata Hockey Academy on Wednesday, marking a significant step toward nurturing young hockey talent in the city. The ceremony was held in the AV room on the first floor of the academy’s girls’ hostel.
Ruchi Narendran attended the event as chief guest, while former Indian men’s hockey team captain and Olympic gold medallist Manyapanda Muthanna Somaiya was present as guest of honour. Several dignitaries from the sporting world, along with coaches, players and parents, also attended the ceremony.
The launch of the new girls’ wing is being seen as a fresh beginning for young female hockey players associated with the academy. It is expected to provide modern training facilities, improved residential arrangements and a supportive environment for players to progress in the sport, organisers said.
Speakers at the event said the initiative would not only provide a platform for emerging talent but also help take Indian women’s hockey to new heights. The chief guest and guest of honour encouraged the players to pursue their goals with discipline, dedication and hard work.
They said the future of women’s hockey in the country remains promising, and academies of this kind will play a key role in shaping new talent. The ceremony also recalled Naval Tata’s contribution to Indian hockey, with attendees reaffirming their commitment to carrying his legacy forward.
The new facility adds to Jamshedpur‘s standing as a hub for hockey development, home to the existing Naval Tata Hockey Academy that has trained several national-level players over the years.
