Indian hockey team to use GPS system for two matches

V Narayan Swamy

The Indian hockey team will use the newly-acquired GPS systems during the first two league matches against Hong Kong and Bangladesh at the Asian Games.

The idea stems from the fact that a realistic study of the players’ fitness and stamina levels would be possible only during match situations.

National coach Harendra Singh said the team think-tank was contemplating such a move. “We made all the players, except the goalkeeper, to try out the equipment. They are comfortable wearing it. We have plans to use them during the first two matches. Rather than rely on our own judgement on who is tired and who needs to be replaced, we can use solid technical data to convince ourselves,” he told TOI.

India open against Hong Kong on November 15 before facing Bangladesh two days later in Pool B. Their other matches are against Pakistan on November 20 and Japan the following day.

The new device has caught the players’ attention too. “It is a reality check for them. They are keen to know what the data says about each one of them. This will also help them improve or work on their fitness. Now everybody realises they cannot deceive a machine.”

Support staff in dual role

The physiotherapist, doctor and trainer of the Indian men’s hockey team have their hands full. They not only work on Rajpal and his lads but also the women’s team, which has been without key technical experts in the recent months.

When asked whether Srikant Iyengar, BK Nayak and Pradip Dutta have been saddled with too much work, manager Anupam Ghulati said he would prefer to see the positive points instead. “The women’s hockey team has been without a trainer for long time. It is a blessing that they have got some of the leading experts of the country working on them.”