Hockey plays second fiddle to cricket

Apart from cricket equipment, Jalandhar exports graphite hockey sticks also.

Jalandhar-based R K International, a prominent manufacturer of graphite hockey sticks in the northern region, has survived and emerged as a frontrunner, catering for demand in the international market.

The company exports 90 per cent of its production. It has bought the technology, based on the concept of tennis rackets, from Taiwan.

This financial year, the company hopes to export 20,000 graphite hockey sticks to Europe, the US, Canada, Australia and Korea. Talking to Business Standard, Rajan Kohli, managing partner, R K International said, "There is a huge demand in the overseas markets, because these sticks are lighter and stronger than traditional hockey sticks. Demand can go up to 200,000 sticks per annum in the near future." At present, the company can produce up to 300 hockey sticks per day.

Kohi said, "We are here today because of our parent company"" Beat All Sports(BAS), which is engaged in manufacturing cricket bates, gloves and other accessories."

Commenting on the Indian market, he said, "In India, demand is picking up, but as compared to West, it is still at a low pace." Besides sticks, the company is also engaged in the manufacture of helmets, sports garments, and other sports equipment.

The hockey sticks produced by the firm cost almost double the traditional wooden sticks with prices ranging from $ 20 -$ 3.

The company imports raw material""carbon fibre and resins""from Taiwan. Kohli added that the high import duty on raw material was the main bottleneck in trade.

"The Chinese have an edge over us in terms of raw material, although we have quality and the requisite technology. But the easy availability of raw material locally makes their product cheaper. The Chinese hockey stick is 20 per cent cheaper than ours."

He added,"In order to give fierce competition to Chinese, we are developing our own raw material."

He further said in order to facilitate exports, the government should cut down the import duty on raw material and allocate funds for R & D purpose.