Form in WSH can be better indicator than national camps: Carvalho

NEW DELHI: Former India coach Joaquim Carvalho who is now involved with the World Series Hockey (WSH) project feels that the tournament can prove to be a good platform to judge players who can be picked for the national team.

“I think we can do away with so many national camps that we have. I believe WSH can prove to be a good trial for the Indian players and Michael Nobbs may find it easier to select players on the basis of their match performance,” Carvalho told reporters on Wednesday.

Carvalho feels that one shouldn’t get into the club vs country debate due to the long standing problem in Indian hockey between Hockey India and Indian Hockey Federation.

“Just think about the exposure that the young Indian players will get because of WSH. They can only improve rubbing shoulders with the best in the business. I believe WSH can prove to be a bridge between HI and IHF,” Carvalho stated.

He termed the preliminary decision of Hockey India to ban senior players like Sardara Singh, Sandeep Singh, Adrian D’Souza, Prabhjot Singh and Arjun Halappa as an unfortunate one.

“This shows at what level some of the administrators can stoop to.”

Questioned on chairman of HI’s disciplinary committee Pargat Singh’s decision to reprimand the players, Carvalho answered in a roundabout manner.

“I don’t want to comment about Pargat Singh’s role. I would just like to say that as former players we should all try to protect the players. It shouldn’t be like once we become an administrator, we start dealing with the players with a cane.”