Joaquim Carvalho (1984 Olympian, Manager Maratha Warriors) is a proven coach. He spotted many young players, including Dhanraj Pillay, who went on to represent the country in the Olympics. He speasks high of PHL.

Premier Hockey League provided a very interesting turn to Indian hockey. It brought the limelight back to the National game and is certainly good for its promotion and development because a lot of hockey, more than four hours a day, is being telecast throughout the country for four days in a week. One game under lights is beamed live in Prime Time. Indians will know what is hockey and the faces of hockey players will become popular, just like cricketers. So I am very happy with PHL.

The Format too is an interesting one. It helps the players learn how to concentrate in the first few minutes after the break and the last few minutes before the break. That I will feel is the main advantage to the players. The Indian teams in future will not face the Poland-match situation that we faced in 2000 Sydney Olympics. Conceding a goal with less than 2-minutes to go for the hooter prevented us from winning and gaining those crucial points and we lost a golden chance of an Olympic medal, just because of a silly mistake. With this format, where we have three breaks and so many timeouts, all the Indian stars and the probables will gain experience on this crucial aspect. Now their concentration level will improve and no team can afford “that costly lapse in concentration’’.

Personally, I feel the 2-minute Time Outs should be reduced to one minute. The longer Time Outs are too long and the 1-min Time Out is enough for any good coach at this level to change his strategies and to instruct the players on the change in the game plan according to the match situation.

PHL has added a new colour to the game. From the official and player point of view, the PHL has received a very positive response. I am very much for the format and my only suggestion is the reduction of 2-minute Time Out to one minute.

And the other major suggestion is on the extra-time rule. I feel reduction of players from 11 to 9 during the extra-time 15-minute period for golden goal is okay. I am not happy with the 9 to 7, further reduction during the second half of the extra-time. That is a bit too much on the players. Nine players in itself is a test of their strength and endurance and the Think Tank will be under tremendous pressure to perform and provide ideas.

On the positive side, games on the astro turf are very demanding on the knees and body. Players will get enough rest because of these Time Outs. Now no coach or player can say that the game-plan went awry.

In a nutshell, anything which is spectator friendly, provides commercial backing and promotes the players and the game they play is always welcome. Games under dazzling lights not only provide the charm, what with the live telecast, but will also help the players perform better because of the cool climate in the nights. It is good for the players’ health. Then this will become a family game. The whole family can come and watch even after office hours on week-ends. Just like in foreign leagues, lots of families are coming to the stadium to watch the matches. That’s happening and slowly hockey is catching with the crowds again.
a s2h special