Dutch Hockey Legend Floris Jan Bovelander Coaches Young Players in Jalandhar

Floris Jan Bovelander Shares Drag-Flicking Skills With Young Hockey Players

Young hockey players at the Surjit Hockey Academy in Jalandhar had a memorable opportunity to learn from one of the greatest drag-flickers in international hockey, Floris Jan Bovelander. The Dutch hockey legend conducted a special training session at the Surjit Hockey Stadium, sharing his experience and technical knowledge with aspiring players.

Among the youngsters who attended the session were 16-year-old Akashdeep, Harsimran Singh and Akshit Salaria. Having previously watched Bovelander’s videos to improve their drag-flicking skills, the players finally got an opportunity to meet the former Netherlands international and learn directly from him.

Bovelander, who visited Jalandhar during the Hero Asian Champions Trophy 2026, shared practical tips on improving drag-flicking techniques and encouraged young players to enjoy the game without unnecessary pressure.

Akashdeep, Harsimran and Akshit Learn From Dutch Hockey Legend

For the young trainees, the interaction was more than just another training session. Akashdeep, a player from Kapurthala who was part of the team that recently won the U-18 Asia Cup, described the experience as special.

Harsimran Singh, who belongs to Amritsar and has represented Punjab at national-level tournaments, highlighted one of Bovelander’s important messages: young players should not take pressure while playing. He described the opportunity to learn from someone whose videos he had regularly watched as a wonderful experience.

Akshit Salaria from Pathankot, another national-level player training at the academy, received practical guidance on the technical aspects of drag-flicking.

Bovelander explained the importance of maintaining the correct body position, controlling and lifting the ball, and adjusting body movements to execute the drag-flick effectively.

Bovelander’s Message to Young Hockey Players and Coaches

Beyond technical training, the Dutch legend also shared his philosophy about developing young hockey players. He encouraged youngsters to keep trying, enjoy their time on the pitch and avoid unnecessary pressure.

“The only mistake the players can make is not trying at all,” Bovelander said during his interaction.

He also had a message for coaches, emphasising that making training enjoyable should remain an important part of developing young players.

Bovelander further highlighted the contribution of Asian countries, particularly India and Pakistan, to the Olympic movement and the global popularity of hockey.

Speaking about Indian hockey, he acknowledged Punjab’s significant contribution to the sport, saying that Indian hockey could not be imagined without the state. He added that many of his memories of Indian hockey were associated with players from Punjab.

Floris Jan Bovelander: A Legendary Career in International Hockey

Floris Jan Bovelander is widely recognised as one of the most influential drag-flickers of his generation. Representing the Netherlands between October 1985 and August 1996, he played 241 international matches and scored an impressive 215 goals.

His international career included two major achievements: winning the 1990 Hockey World Cup and securing the gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games.

Known for his powerful penalty-corner strikes and exceptional drag-flicking ability, Bovelander became one of the most recognised names in international hockey.

His experience and technical expertise made the Jalandhar training session particularly valuable for the next generation of Indian hockey players.

Punjab Strengthens Hockey Development Through International Exposure

Bovelander’s visit was part of the Hero Asian Champions Trophy 2026, which brought international hockey action to Punjab. His programme also included a joint training interaction involving 37 coaches from Punjab and young trainees of the Surjit Hockey Academy.

He was accompanied by Olympian Gurjant Singh, Dronacharya Award recipient Jiwanjot Singh Teja and hockey coach Avtar Singh during the programme.

The Punjab Sports Department felicitated the Dutch hockey great in recognition of his contribution to the sport.

Bovelander also expressed his willingness to attend the Mohali leg of the tournament, scheduled for November 4 and 5 at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior Hockey Stadium.

For the young players at Surjit Hockey Academy, the opportunity to learn from a World Cup and Olympic champion offered valuable lessons that extended beyond drag-flicking. His emphasis on technique, confidence and enjoyment highlighted the importance of learning from experienced international players in developing the future of Indian hockey.