Kaushik relents, trials in Jan

Bangalore: National coach MK Kaushik fell in line with the government directive on Saturday, agreeing to postpone the selection trials of the women’s hockey team and opted instead for match sessions with city teams at the SAI, South Centre.

Kaushik, who was keen on the trials so as to provide the senior team with an exposure tour before allowing the junior girls to join the national pool, was told by Indian Women’s Hockey Federation technical director MP Ganesh that a stronger nucleus could be created once he had a larger number of probables to choose from.

Apparently, Kaushik wasn’t too happy with the decision but gave his approval to the plan originally proposed by government nominee Roopa Saini.

The team for the January 17-24 four-nation in Chile and the test series against Argentina will now be chosen during the new year, midway through a camp that will host around 42 probables. “The junior team returns from the Asia Cup on December 22. I have proposed that the combined camp be held in Bangalore from December 27,” Ganesh said.

Kaushik said he would have loved to have the trials this weekend. “It would have helped me assess the 22 probables here and provided them with an opportunity to play a few international matches. Having said that, I wouldn’t want to go against the official decision.”

The probables disperse on Monday but would be back for another stint after a short break as specified in the Long-Term Development Programme. Kaushik, who is in favour of implementing the LTDP to the letter, said he too preferred smaller intervals as it would help the girls in maintaining their fitness and momentum ahead of the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

“Long breaks are counterproductive. Fitness levels drop, the edge is lost and we will be forced to start from scratch. I would want a virtually non-stop camp schedule to keep the focus intact,” he said.