Bangalore: Tenacity and grit are inherent qualities of Dhanraj Pillay. Put him on a hockey field even today and it is a foregone conclusion that he will play his heart out. He has done that on many, many occasions and brought India much glory in his playing days.
“I was happy when the Indian Hockey Federation was removed,” said the four-time Olympian, here as the chief guest for the Jude Felix Hockey Academy Tournament. “I was in the selection panel along with Aslam Sher Khan, Ajitpal Singh, Zafar Iqbal.
Initially, selection was purely on merit basis. Later, Ashok Kumar, Khan and me found ourselves talking whether there is interference in hockey selections. I have the right to ask if this player is good.”
Suddenly, Pillay found himself being sacked for raising questions about the way selections were being made.
Naturally, the topic of Hockey India (HI) elections came up. “I doubt it. There is every chance that they will say time is too short or we are preparing for the World Cup,” he said, adding that getting the World Cup to India is indeed a good thing. “Let anyone take the seats but let it be professional. Suresh Kalmadi has the power and he can generate funds.”
Talk then veered around to the issue of the current coach Jose Brasa. “I saw him coaching and I feel pity for the players. They are being taught the basics. Some players do not have the best basics but a National camp is not the place for basics,” he said.
“If you are talking about foreign coaches, I consider only two people worth it — Ric Charlesworth and Terry Walsh. These two have a soft corner for India. We had the chance with Charlesworth but did not use it,” he said.
Would he consider coaching? “Not now. After the 2010 Commonwealth Games, if I get what I need to build a good team, I will think about it. If I am given the proper facilities I will produce results in six months,” he said.