The BOSM English Press sat down with the Hockey team’s Captain, Suryakant Singh Chouhan, to catch up with the team’s progress prior to BOSM 2023. 

Suryakant described Hockey as a dynamic sport of stick and ball that demands tactical finesse and precise teamwork. Played with eleven players on each side, the objective is to skillfully maneuver the ball into the opponent’s net. A match stretches over 70 minutes, divided into four quarters of 15 minutes each.

The captain shared that the team’s rigorous training regimen had been the cornerstone of their preparations. For the past month, the players have been on a relentless grind, dedicating themselves to double sessions— morning drills and evening practice matches.

This year the competition promises to be fierce, with perennial rivals SRCC, IIT Delhi, and OP Jindal in the fray. However, the team faces its own set of challenges. The uneven ground and inadequate lighting at the hockey pitch were persistent hurdles, Suryakant explained. Sharing space with the frisbee team further compounds the issue, limiting precious practice time.

Speaking on their past performance, the captain shared that the previous BOSM edition was a testament to the team’s prowess as they clinched gold, triumphing over the highly-regarded SRCC sports quota team. Apart from BOSM, the team also showcased their mettle at IIT Bombay’s sports fest, finishing an admirable fourth against a tough draw. 

Suryakant described his tryst with hockey, beginning as a young kid from Churu, who first held a hockey stick in third grade. After a brief hiatus, he rekindled his passion in college and is now spearheading the team as a center forward. He expressed that his experience as captain had been nothing short of enriching. Striking a balance between academics and sports, he opined that the discipline he imbibed from hockey reverberates positively in his studies. 

He added that interactions with the institute and the CoSSAc had been pivotal in navigating challenges. With morale soaring high, the hockey team is poised for a spirited defense of their title on home turf.