The Dhanraj Ballal Hockey Academy (DBHA) is a renowned non profit sports academy located in Bangaluru, Karnataka. The academy was established in 2001 and is being run and managed by the legendary Indian Hockey players like, Padmashri Dhanraj Pillay and Arjuna Awardee Ashish Ballal. The main objective of the players behind establishing this academy is to pass on their huge experience to the younger generation and also to attract them to take up the game of Hockey. The academy is working hard for training and coaching players at the grass route level and it also provides stipend to the talented players.
Main Objectives of Dhanraj Ballal Hockey Academy
The main objectives of the Dhanraj Ballal Hockey Academy (DBHA), Bengaluru include training and coaching young, talented players in modern hockey techniques and rejuvenating the game at grassroots level. The academy is aimed at creating popularity and awareness for the game among the young Indians and also at providing a feeder route to the national team for the future tournaments. The academy has already earned recognition, approval and patronage from the eminent sports bodies in India like the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF), the Karnataka State Hockey Association (KSHF), the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Bangaluru; the Department of Youth Services & Sports, Karnataka and also the Karnataka Olympic Association (KOA).
Organisation of Dhanraj Ballal Hockey Academy
The Dhanraj Ballal Hockey Academy (DBHA), Bangaluru usually selects players in the age group of 15 to 21 years through an open selection and gives specialised training in physical fitness, mental toughness and hockey skills, to them. The academy does not take any cost from the trainees and provide kit, education, stipend & incentives, career guidance & placement, residential facilities, as well. It conducts year long training on a weekly basis (usually 5 days a week) on turf grounds and under floodlight. The two founders of the academy, Dhanraj Pillay and Ashish Ballal are working as coaches in the academy and they are being assisted by another renowned player, Harinder Singh. Apart from them, some of the other eminent Indian Hockey personalities like Padma Shree Mohammad Shaheed, M. K. Kaushik, Zafar Iqbal, V. Bhaskaran, Mervyn Fernandes, and Somaiya Maneypande, are also working as consultants in the Dhanraj Ballal Hockey Academy (DBHA), Bangaluru.
In sum, the Dhanraj Ballal Hockey Academy is arguably one of the major steps taken by Indian hockey players to reinstate Indian Hockey to its former glory.
