Viren Rasquinha contemplating return to hockey
By Nandini Kumar | Place: Bangalore | Agency: DNA
The formal announcement of World Hockey Series by the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) early this month has not only got over 100 foreign players interested in the league but it has also inspired former India skipper Viren Rasquinha to think of a comeback.
“I have been playing domestic hockey league in Mumbai and I have been considering making a comeback,” the former India midfielder, who was in Bangalore on Thursday, told DNA.
The league, which is to be launched later this year, has received a tremendous response from hockey players the world over, and if things go as planned, hockey buffs may see former greats taking to the turf.
“Let’s say that the World Series is quite a bit of a target but more than that I just want to get back to the sport,” added the 30-year-old who retired from international hockey in 2008 to pursue a MBA degree.
When asked if he sees himself playing for India again, he said he was confident.
“Though the game has changed since the time I quit, if I am able to make time and practise three hours a day I am confident that I can make it to the Indian team,” he opined.
The Mumbaikar has donned the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO) since 2009 and with the OGQ-funded athletes playing a decisive role in the medal tally at the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games that kept him busy all of 2010.
However, this year, he has decided to devote time on the field and get acquainted with the fast-paced game.
“I have not held a stick in a while as the CWG and Asian Games kept me busy with OGQ work but I’ve just been frustrated with myself for not working out. I hardly had the time but again it all depends on how busy I am going to be this year,” he said.
Going by the stunning performance of young athletes from rural India in the quadrennial events last year, Rasquinha said that urban youngsters don’t have the hunger and dedication to achieve success at the international arena. He even stated that he did not see any Mumbai hockey player making it to the national squad in the coming years.
“I think under-privileged players have the hunger to succeed because they see sport as a way to make it big. After me and Adrian (D’Souza), I don’t see any young Mumbaikar making it to the national squad in the next 10-15 years because I don’t see that kind of talent in them anymore.”
Rasquinha said he had no idea if former India skipper Dhanraj Pillay will be a good coach. “I have played alongside Dhanraj and he is the best player according to me. He had the magic of turning the match around at a time when a win looked impossible but I can’t comment on his coaching because I haven’t seen him coach,” said Rasquinha.