Indian Hockey needs a Sharad Pawar: Negi

Hemant Singh Rana

Tribune News Service

With the worst crisis in the history of the Indian hockey, where girls have spoken against a coach and women teams participation in the world cup still in doubt, former national hockey player Mir Ranjan Negi speaks at length, in a telephonic interview to The Tribune, on the recent sex scandal and state of affairs in the sport

What do you have to say about the sex scandal in the national women’s hockey team? Do you believe in what former coach MK Kaushik is saying that he has been framed?

I was deeply hurt, as I have not only played with MK Kaushik, but also assisted him as national coach both in men’s and women’s hockey. He had been at the helm of affairs of women’s hockey for around 18 years. He had become very powerful, as his word was the final in terms of selection and other matters. It is still hard to believe that power could have corrupted him. Let’s wait and see the outcome of the enquiry.

Do you think a male coach can easily become a soft target in female sports, if a certain faction dislikes him?

I have my own academy with 120 girls. Girls may have differences with their coach, but they will never go to such an extent as to tarnish his image forever.

At this juncture, wouldn’t it be appropriate to have a woman coach for the women’s hockey team?

Most of the hotels have male chefs. Ace shooter Abhinav Bindra’s coach was a lady in the last Olympics. Man or Woman, whosoever can deliver the best should be made in charge of the team.

You were last associated with the women’s team as assistant coach in 2004. What have you been doing all these years?

I can say with pride that I am one of the few former national players, who are still attached to the ground. For the last 25 years, I have been into coaching after I left playing competitive hockey.

Talking about the men’s hockey, why is the performance constantly plummeting?

It’s all about the shift of focus. Former world champion France lost badly in the FIFA World Cup 2010, as they had a fight with their coach. Men’s hockey team could not do well during the last World Cup in Delhi because of the controversy created due to money matters. It’s not the tactics alone that win matches. There are numerous stories that confirm that the unity and motivation of the team gives results.

While a small country like Holland has 900 turf surfaces, in India you can count their number on your fingertips. Doesn’t this speak volumes about the neglect the game is facing in our country?

Not only hockey, but also all other sports are not being given the preferential treatment that is required to excel at the Olympic level. There is no money or future for the upcoming players. A state-level player can get a maximum of class IV job. The administration is doing nothing for the game. The confidence of every sportsman is shaken. Something drastic needs to be done.

How can the past glory of the Indian hockey be regained?

Unless glamour and money don’t come into the sport, the younger generation is not going to pick up the stick. We require a man with a vision to run the affairs of the Indian hockey. We need a man like Sharad Pawar today.

One last question, what is common between Chak De’s Kabir Khan and Mir Ranjan Negi?

Both are fanatic about their nation… Chak de!