Shahid supports Pillay to be India’s hockey coach

VARANASI: Former India captain Mohammed Shahid on Sunday welcomed Dhanraj Pillay’s desire to become national hockey coach and asked the federation to take his claim seriously.

Shahid, who had tormented opposition defenders with his dribbling in his days, said Pillay’s experience and understanding of the game would help in improving the performance of the team.

“Dhanraj has played in four Olympics and he has seen Indian hockey from close quarters. Some of the current players have played along with him. There is nobody who knows this young team better than Dhanraj,” Shahid said.

“Dhanraj has himself expressed desire to become the coach and it should be welcomed. I think under such an experienced player the performance of the team will only improve,” he added.

The former centre-forward said once appointed, a coach should be given a reign of at least three years at the helm to give results.

“A coach’s worth should not be decided by just two or three losses. The new coach should be given three-four years’ time,” Shahid said.

Asked if he was also interested in taking up the coach’s job, Shahid said, “Currently, there has been talk of Dhanraj desiring to become coach. I am not in the race.”