Ignored Jugraj feels hurt

Jugraj Singh, who was the drag-flick coach of the Indian hockey team that won the ticket to the London Olympics, is upset with the way he has been treated after the country’s success in the Olympic qualifier.

Jugraj, who trained the penalty corner experts in the preparatory camp for the qualification event, was sidelined when the senior team’s camp resumed in Bangalore in March.

“Hockey India (HI) told me to coach the junior team.

“But I have worked hard for the senior side and the team did well in the qualifier due to its good short-corner conversion rate. I would have liked to help the side get better in the Olympic year,” Jugraj said on Thursday.

No clarity

Jugraj, who had worked under Jose Brasa and Michael Nobbs, claimed that there was no clarity from HI on why he was being asked to take over as the juniors’ coach.

“It was the coach (Nobbs) who told me that I should train the juniors,” he said.

Jugraj also complained that he had not received the incentive award declared by HI for the coaching staff of the Olympic qualifier winning team.

HI had announced a cash award of Rs 1 lakh each for every player and Rs 50,000 each for every member of the coaching staff.

HI secretary-general Narinder Batra clarified the federation’s stand.

“The incentive awards were meant for the players and the coaching staff.

“Formally, Jugraj was not part of the coaching team. However, we got him the cash award from Sahara.”

Asked why Jugraj was not considered for the National camp, Batra said, “We took the decision after having discussions with the coach and the players. Drag-flick is a limited art and he had nothing more to teach. We asked him to coach the junior side, but he declined.”