Bangalore: Hockey selection committee chairman Aslam Sher Khan feels the next logical step for the Indian Olympic Association ad-hoc panel is to recall players dropped by the previous regime for a camp so that the selectors get a bigger pool of talent to choose from.

“Having won the Junior Asia Cup, we should now concentrate on assembling the best talent available in the country. Around 50-60 boys, both senior and juniors, should be ideal. A camp, preferably in Bhopal or Lucknow, will help in identifying the core group.”

Khan favoured recall of players dropped in the recent past as he felt they had been given a raw deal by the Indian Hockey Federation. “It would be better if we gave these players another chance to prove themselves,” he said.

The camp, likely after the Olympics, may see the probables being divided into four or five teams under various coaches.

“We will definitely have A K Bansal as one of the coaches. We are happy with his performance. He is a successful coach. At the same time, we would also like to have more coaches to come up with ideas. I would prefer new talent here too.”

The Olympian also felt that the panel ought to be given more powers so that it could effectively plan and implement its programme.

“We need the government to allocate funds and IOA to give us the powers to execute our plans. Two good victories in the Sultan Azlan Shah and the Junior Asia Cup have given us the confidence that hockey is alive in the country. We have to plan our next step right now.”

Shabaas, says Gill

Sports minister MS Gill hailed the junior teamfor its “brilliant performance.”

“Shabaas India, chak de raheyo phatey (bravo, keep up the good work!),” Gill said in his message to the team after it defeated Korea through a golden goal. IOA president Suresh Kalmadi too lauded the achievement.

President praises team

President Pratibha Patil also had words of praise for the team. “The final indicates that our youngsters have the ability to fight back in very tense situations and this augurs well for the future of Indian hockey,” Patil said through a press release. Patil also lauded young drag-flicker Diwakar Ram and team coach AK Bansal for their contributions.