“INDIA needs to plan. A paradigm of shift is required to lift the game of hockey in India. That is the challenge,” said hockey consultant Ric Charlesworth here on Tuesday.
Speaking as a guest, on the initiative of former Indian captain Viren Rasquinha at the Indian School of Business on the topic of ‘Leadership, Teamwork, Strategy & Motivation’, the Australian legend said “Indians are unfortunately not focused. Chinese will win medals in the Olympics. They have a huge population. The secret of success is they have infrastructure and a better plan.” A multi-faceted personality, Charlesworth, a successful player and coach, an MP and a doctor by profession, said cricket dominates the sport in India. “In India people only look at cricket. It has become a business here. That is a problem.

Hockey doesn’t get a proper look in.

Sport is not top of the lot. It just survives. Sport has to be professional.” The hockey coach had the ISB audience spellbound with his witty and humourous speech. “Indians have the skills in abundance. But that is not enough to be the best in the world. They need to develop good and reliable habits. That they have to reproduce under pressure.” In a veiled criticism on the Indian training system, Charlesworth said: “Indians train for six hours a day .

But when they play a match, they play at half pace. We (Australians) train for two hours on a high intensity level. We reproduce that speed and skill at the matches. It is question of getting into right environment.” Charlesworth also said the biggest problem that India faces they believe in seniority.

“I’ve been trying to work on Indian hockey. It’s not easy. In India, seniority is all. People should understand that sometimes a youngest player has better understanding of the game.” The hockey legend spoke on leadership, motivation, strategies and a system of achieving success that helps in business also.

Rasquinha, who described Charlesworth as a living legend in hockey world, said the Aussie was an idol for him from childhood days.

“INDIA needs to plan. A paradigm of shift is required to lift the game of hockey in India. That is the challenge,” said hockey consultant Ric Charlesworth here on Tuesday . Speaking as a guest, on the initiative of former Indian captain Viren Rasquinha at the Indian School of Business on the topic of ‘Leadership, Teamwork, Strategy & Motivation’, the Australian legend said “Indians are unfortunately not focussed. Chinese will win medals in the Olympics. They have a huge population. The secret of success is they have infrastructure and a better plan.” A multi-faceted personality, Charlesworth, a successful player and coach, an MP and a doctor by profession, said cricket dominates the sport in India. “In India people only look at cricket. It has become a business here. That is a problem. Hockey doesn’t get a proper look in. Sport is not top of the lot. It just survives. Sport has to be professional.” The hockey coach had the ISB audience spellbound with his witty and humourous speech. “Indians have the skills in abundance. But that is not enough to be the best in the world. They need to develop good and reliable habits. That they have to reproduce under pressure.” In a veiled criticism on the Indian training system, Charlesworth said: “Indians train for six hours a day. But when they play a match, they play at half pace. We (Australians) train for two hours on a high inten- sity level. We reproduce that speed and skill at the matches. It is question of getting into right environment.” Charlesworth also said the biggest problem that India faces they believe in seniority. “I’ve been trying to work on Indian hockey . It’s not easy. In India, seniority is all. People should understand that sometimes a youngest player has better understanding of the game.” The hockey legend spoke on leadership, motivation, strategies and a system of achieving success that helps in business also. Rasquinha, who described Char- lesworth as a living legend in hockey world, said the Aussie was an idol for him from childhood days.