Great win for India but there’s a long way to go

AT LAST, a tournament victory for India in hockey. For an ailing sport in a cricket crazy nation it’s just what the doctor had ordered. However, instead of celebrating this win the caretakers of Indian hockey should now learn from it. If there ever was a better time to get a foreign coach and to install a proper hockey body then it is now.

The memories of this win will soon evaporate. It is high time IOA- run ad hoc committee should now set out a proper road map for the sport so as to ensure that these victories become more regular.

The next tournament will be the Asia Cup and if India want to be crowned Asian champions then they need a complete support staff and a foreign coach.

Former India captain and a member of the ad hoc selection committee, Zafar Iqbal echoed similar feelings but cautioned the team about tough competition in the upcoming Asia Cup and 2010 World Cup.

“ It’s (the win) undoubtedly a huge morale booster for the team, but we can’t think big about it. The team should now focus on Asia Cup and next year’s World Cup,” he said.

While this win may not be huge it does come at an excellent time.

Ashok Kumar, son of legendary Dhyanchand and a member of the ad hoc selection panel, credited the victory to collective effort of the team including coaches, officials and support staff.

“ It’s a wonderful victory. The win was very important to regain Indian hockey’s lost glory. It’s a confidence booster for the team,” he said.

He also heaped praise on young Sandeep Singh for not only becoming the Player of the Tournament but also for his leadership qualities.

“ Sandeep led from the front. He displayed amazing skills with the stick and also a mature head as captain.” Junior team coach AK Bansal said the eight- time Olympic champions desperately needed the victory to bring the game back on track.

“ The win was very important. It is a significant achievement by the team and will help them in preparations for future tournaments. It is a morale booster for players,” Bansal said.

He added that although the competition this year was not of high standard, yet the win meant a lot to the former champions who missed the Beijing Olympics last year.

“ While one can say that the contenders were not so tough in the tournament, but all the teams were of equal strength.

But to be fair, it has great significance as you can never assess a team’s performance on artificial turf.”

Mail Today Correspondent
Courtesy: Mailtoday