Batra meets team, says captaincy issue over
NEW DELHI: Hockey India secretary general Narinder Batra, on Saturday, met with the national team for the first time since the captaincy controversy crept up and said all the issues of the dissatisfied players have been resolved.
The 18-member India team, which is busy training at the National Stadium for the February 28-March 13 World Cup, slumped to a 1-4 loss against the combined petroleum side in their second practice game on Friday, prompting Batra to rush off to the camp on Saturday.
The national team had earlier demolished the same side 7-1 in the first practice game on Wednesday.
“I was concerned after the national team lost against the petroleum side. So, I went to meet the players. I was also told that the players wanted to meet me. My basic concern was that the issue (captaincy controversy) should not affect the team’s performance and the players assured me that it won’t,” Batra said.
“I had a detailed discussion with the players and coaches in a cordial and friendly atmosphere today and everybody came out satisfied after the meeting. Everything has been sorted out including the captaincy matter,” he added.
The HI secretary general also reiterated that Rajpal Singh will lead the national team in the World Cup, a decision which ignited a fresh controversy in Indian hockey recently with majority players besides chief coach Jose Brasa favouring Prabhjot Singh for the job.
“Rajpal will remain the captain and the players told me that they don’t have any problems with it,” Batra said.
He also informed that India will play two practice games against international sides before the World Cup.
“India will play two practice matches against teams who are placed in the other pool, but date of the matches are yet to be finalised,” he said.