Weighty issue for Indian team

Indian hockey team’s exercise physiologist David John said on Monday that many of the players still remained underweight and it would be quite a task to boost their body mass by February’s Olympic qualifiers.

“Many of the boys are still underweight,” remarked John after a training session at the Sports Authority of India campus here. “In China (Asian Champions Trophy from September 3-11), the food was a big problem and many of them ate very little. To make things worse we had limited food supplements and as a result the players lost some weight which they just regained in the two weeks of training.

“However, in Australia the players will be taking protein supplements 2-3 times to try to increase their weight. The fitness level now is significantly better after two weeks of preparation. They look in good shape and are raring to go,” added John, who was scheduled to fly out to Australia in the wee hours of Tuesday to make things ready for the Indian team that will be involved in a 9-a-side international super series event at Perth from Oct 20-23 and a set of international friendlies.

Asked the reason behind them not putting on the pounds, John attributed it to diet. “The problem is there are seven vegetarians in the team and it is very difficult for them to gain weight with the amount of physical exertion they go through. These seven players had iron infusions done on Saturday in order boost their fitness and endurance levels. There is very little SAI can do for vegetarians here in terms of food. However, they are happy to provide them whatever supplements are needed.”

John, a hard taskmaster but loved by everyone for his unique fitness routines, said the team should reach its peak for the Champions Challenge tournament in Johannesburg from Nov 26-Dec 4.

“In terms of speed endurance and hockey fitness, I think we would be able reach the peak before Champions Challenge and maintain it through the Olympic qualifiers in February. At the end of the day weight is not the only thing. What we need is players who can run excessively fast. Barring (SV) Sunil — who is really quick — many aren’t express. While they are good in anticipation, they lack speed and we are working on that aspect.”

John had made the players drink coffee before every match in the Asian Champions Trophy. “It increases the mobilisation of fat which is your best fuel. Caffeine in coffee helps the players run longer and harder without getting fatigued. Most professional sporting teams in Australia use some form of caffeine. It was a banned substance ten years ago but not now,” said John, adding that the team will undergo 20 days of training in Pune — where altitude simulation room is available at Balevadi — in November to help acclimatise better for the Johannesburg trip.