Bhubaneswar: A documentary The Tribal Scoop, based on tribal people’s passion for hockey in Sundergarh, Odisha was screened by Hockey Gangpur-Odisha at Jaydev Bhawan here, Sunday.
The 53-minute long documentary focuses on the zeal of tribal youth of the state and their struggle to be an international hockey player. Hockey for many such youth of rural belt of Sundergarh has become a way of life.
The documentary also shows hockey ‘tournaments’ organised in rural areas, in which the players use hockey sticks that they make themselves. The winning of teams of these ‘khasi tournaments’ are awarded with goat as prize.
Most of the tribal kids join sports hostel with an aim of making a career in hockey.
The documentary has been directed by Beeswaranjan Pradhan, who hails from Odisha, and produced by Mumabi-based Code Red Films.
Interacting with the Orissa POST Pradhan said: “Sundergarh has given many national and international players to India. This documentary will encourage more tribal kids to make a career in hockey. Most of the youth and adults work as daily worker and despite the financial constraints they spend money on purchase of hockey kits to fulfill their dreams.”
Former Indian hockey captain Dilip Tirkey said, hockey is the only ray of hope for Sundergarh. The documentary and it will inspire many people, he added.
The star cast of the documentary includes former India Hockey captain Dilip Tirkey, and other hockey players like Dipsan Tirkey, triabl leader George Tirkey, Olympian Lazarus Balra among others. Union Minister Jual Oram also features in the film.
The documentary has travelled to several film festivals in India and abroad, including Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF-2018), International Documentary and Short Film festival, Kerala and Golden Tree International Documentary Film Festival, Germany.
William Xalxo, Lazrus Barla, Dilip Terkey, Dipsan Tirkey and others were present during the screening of the documentary.
