focus Players question `dummy’ coach
HARPREET KAUR LAMBA
If merit and reason had anything to do with it, Indian hockey goalkeeper Adrian D’Souza would have been preparing for the Asian Champions Trophy in Ordos, China, that begins on September 3.
Instead the 27-year-old -who excelled among the four goalkeepers during the two-day trials in Bengaluru according to one selector -found his name struck off as Hockey India trotted out a new-look team for the sixnation tournament.
Confirmed a selector preferring anonymity, “Adrian D’Souza was among the first few to make it to the final list, owing to his brilliant show. For some strange reason, a few selectors and HI officials wanted the player to apologise for his conduct. The argument continued and finally his name was struck off, including that of P.R. Sreejesh.“
Similar was the case of Prabhjot Singh, who finds out himself out in the cold.
“As for Prabhjot, Hockey India and a few senior selectors were very clear he would not be included irrespective of how he performs. It is baffling when half the senior players are already ruled out with injuries.“
The development puts chief coach Michael Nobbs’ role under intense scrutiny, given that he chose to remain quiet despite some “dubious“ selections.
Said a senior member of Nobbs, “I think whatever hope was left for hockey in this country has finished today. I haven’t seen a worse coach in my career.
“All of us knew what Hockey India is capable of, but by hiring a dummy coach they have made matters worse. At least (Jose) Brasa fought for the players without worrying about his post,“ the player fumed.
When contacted, selector Col. Balbir Singh was scathing in his evaluation of the dropped players. “I think it is time for Prabhjot to retire. He hasn’t done anything in the last one year, while D’Souza conceded seven goals during the trials. How do I pick him?“ Said a player, “It is a joke.
The goalkeeper who conceded those seven goals has been picked and everyone present on the field is a proof of that. It is definitely time for Balbir to retire.“
D’Souza and Prabhjot were among the five `rebel’ players -Sandeep, Sardara and Arjun Halappa being the others -who had skipped two days of training to attend an event by the rival Indian Hockey Federation.
All five players, however, had replied to the show cause notices and also tendered an apology to HI.