Hockey India should develop strong bench strength: Ashok Kumar

Suhas Nayse,TNN

NAGPUR: Three-time Olympian and 1975 World Cup-winning player Ashok Kumar urged the Hockey India (HI) to develop a strong bench strength to revive the glory days of hockey in the country.

Ashok Kumar, son of legendary Major Dhyanchand, was in the city to distribute the prizes of the 1st All India Gold Cup Hockey tournament which concluded at the VHA ground on Saturday.

“We must have at least 60 quality players with us all the time. To meet the heavy demand of the international hockey schedule, the HI should concentrate on forming an equally good second and third string teams to replace the seniors in case of injuries. Having a big pool of talented youngsters is the need of the hour,” said Ashok Kumar, who has played three World Cups (1971, 1973, 1975) and two Olympics at Munich and Montreal in the golden era of Indian hockey.

Talking to the media, Kumar said the professional leagues like Hockey India League (HIL) is good for the game and will change the scenario of the game in the country in few years’ time.

“I am happy with HIL but I have seen several players giving more importance to HIL rather than donning the national colours. Playing for India should be the ultimate target for any budding player. On the contrary, I have seen the youngsters putting more efforts for the preparations of the HIL because he has to justify his contract amount,” said Kumar, who was the recipient of Arjuna Award in 1974 and is presently working as the director of Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy, Bhopal.