Pleas to shift camp ignored

Saurabh Duggal, Hindustan Times

Hockey India’s (HI) development committee, which focusses on coaching and training, did not want the camp for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Delhi. Instead, Bangalore, Pune or NIS Patiala, which boast of better infrastructure like in-house gym, swimming pool and medical facilities, were the preferred venues.

Narinder Batra, secretary-general of HI, forwarded the committee’s recommendation to the sports ministry, but the ministry ignored the suggestion and organised the camp in Delhi.

The post-tournament reports, submitted by the team officials, list poor fitness as a major reason for the debacle in Malaysia, and the Delhi camp was one of the reasons for the team’s poor fitness level.

In his report, team physiotherapist, Shrikant Iyengar, recommends that training camps must have a functional gymnasium and swimming pool to aid in recovery and rehabilitation, along with proper medical facilities.

He adds that these things were amiss during the Azlan Shah camp, because of which training suffered.

Apparently, lessons haven’t been learnt. The women’s camp is on in Delhi and the players are without the services of a doctor and masseur.

Dr Pradip Dutta, the physical trainer, mentions that Delhi was good only for the transit camp.

“Camps should be conducted in a place suitable for better physiological adaptation. Delhi is good for a transit camp, but the training base should be in Pune or in Bangalore, where the climatic conditions are better for training, adaptation and recovery.”

Even the coaches have demanded that the camp be hosted in Bangalore, Pune or Patiala, depending on the weather.

“Delhi is seen as a competition venue, not a place for training. Long camps should not be held here,” said a coach requesting anonymity.

When contacted, Batra said, “We have got the reports and will be discussing them thoroughly. It’s not that only the team’s fitness level has been questioned in the reports, there are other things too. We will do what it takes for the betterment of the sport.”