David Harte Expresses Enthusiasm for Hockey in India, Aims to Connect with Amazing Fans
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New Delhi, Dec 6 (NationPress) The iconic Irish goalkeeper David Harte is looking forward to competing against India for the first time in six years at the upcoming Hockey India League (HIL) 2024-25 season with the Tamil Nadu Dragons. Harte, who participated in the HIL back in 2017, is excited to immerse himself in the passionate atmosphere created by Indian fans in Rourkela and Ranchi.
"I was just discussing this with a few friends. India is truly a unique destination for hockey. Everyone around the globe recognizes this. The Indian fans are simply remarkable, and their support is unmatched to a great extent. While countries like Argentina and the Netherlands also have fantastic backing, especially during home matches, India stands apart," Harte shared with IANS.
"The ambiance in the stadiums, the energetic support, and the fans present there – I would love to connect with them, perhaps even take a selfie if they’re interested. I hope there’s a strong backing for all teams in both Rourkela and Ranchi throughout the tournament," he added.
When asked about his knowledge of Hindi or any lessons he plans to take before heading to India, he remarked, "It’s quite challenging due to the diverse regions and dialects. I can recall a few phrases like kaise ho (how are you), kya haal hai (how are you doing), and shukriya (thank you), but it has been a while since my last visit. The last time I was in India was during the 2018 World Cup held in Bhubaneswar.
"I can't wait to return and maybe even learn a bit of Tamil while we're in Chennai for our pre-training camp," he stated.
Regarding his future aspirations after retiring from hockey, Harte expressed a keen interest in pursuing a teaching career more seriously.
"I doubt I could stay away from the sport for too long. My passion lies in elite high-performance sports, particularly hockey. After I hang up my boots, I’m not entirely sure what lies ahead, but I’d like to explore the possibility of enhancing my current role as a lecturer at Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, potentially taking that experience to various countries, or becoming a college or university lecturer. At the same time, I want to consider my wife’s aspirations as she has been incredibly supportive," he explained.
"She has accompanied me on my journeys across the globe, and now it’s my turn to support her in whatever she wishes to pursue along with our two daughters," he added.
Harte is pleased with the progress made by Ireland's hockey teams but emphasizes the need for stability and consistency to maintain their position within the top 10 rankings. "I hope for continued and sustained success for Hockey Ireland, encompassing both the men’s and women’s teams. It’s crucial for Hockey Ireland to solidify its standing in major tournaments and consistently qualify for events like the World Cups and the Olympics," he stated.
"In the future, it should be standard for teams like India, The Netherlands, and Germany to appear at such events throughout the four-year cycles. Currently, Ireland is somewhat hit or miss, and I hope over the next decade we can establish that consistency to remain within the top 10 globally and participate in those key tournaments," he concluded.
