India hockey captain Dhanraj Pillay, who is planning to open a hockey academy in Chennai, has advocated infusing young blood into the team.
Pillay, who met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa at the secretariat on Friday morning, told reporters his dream is to open a hockey academy in Chennai.
"I had talked about this with the Chief Minister. I hope she will help me to realise this," said Pillay, who termed the meeting a courtesy call.
"It is basically a courtesy call. Because of her efforts hockey is still alive in Tamil Nadu. She has been showing interest in all sports and games and her interest in sports is tremendous," he said.
Pillay declined to elaborate on India's 7-4 victory over Pakistan in the league match of the just-concluded Champions Trophy in Amstelveen, where India finished fourth.
"It is a different platform. I would not like to discuss about the Champions Trophy now."
However, on the defeat against India's arch-rivals in the bronze medal play-off, the Indian captain said: "Winning and losing is part of the game."
Later, an official statement, Jayalalithaa told Pillay that she has already given orders to renew the astro-turf of the Egmore hockey stadium.
She also said that floodlights would be put up at the Radhakrishnan Hockey stadium in Egmore and promised to do the needful with regard to Pillay's plea for setting up a hockey academy in the city.
Indian volleyball coach G E Sridharan also called on the chief minister separately.
