Ipoh to mark a new epoch

Uthra G Chaturvedi

When the Indian team leaves for Ipoh, Malaysia, to take part in the Sultan Azlan Shah hockey tournament in 10 days’ time, they will have to deal with a trauma. It was their loss to Malaysia in the semi-finals at the Asian Games in Guangzhou last year that had seen favourites India miss out on a ‘top-two’ finish, and with that a shot at direct Olympics qualification.

But on Tuesday, when the final 18-member squad was announced for the tournament, coach Harendra Singh said that the team’s Malaysian trip will be the starting point for their journey — one that they hope will end in successfully qualifying for the London Olympics next year, and beyond that.

“The Azlan Shah tournament has always been a starting point for major teams preparing for the Olympics or the World Cup. The difference this time is that, other than Australia (since they have almost seven of their first-team players in the European league), everyone else will be at full strength, since the Olympics are so near. That makes competition this time much more tough,” he said, adding there would be risks and opportunities alike.

“On one hand, yes, it will be tough. On the other hand, we have to remember that we are without at least 5-6 of our own first-eleven. So it will be a testing ground for us as well. But while most of the others have already qualified for Olympics, we are yet to do so, therefore the objectives for the teams will be different,” he said.

Perhaps that’s the reason the current team, as expected, banks heavily on an experienced mid-field to hold the side together, while trying out new combinations upfront. More importantly, Harendra will be keen to monitor the likes of SV Sunil, Sarwanjeet Singh and Roshan Minz, coming back from injuries and untested in competition for more than a year.

“It’s not like they lack experience or are new. But yes, they are returning from rehabilitation and it’s a good thing they took so long because they are now completely fit. I won’t say this will be a test for them but their good performance will add to our pool,” Harendra said.

Chandi makes the cut

Meanwhile, Gurvinder Singh Chandi, who was hit by a ball near the right eye during trials on Monday, is out of danger and is likely to make it to Ipoh. Doctors have revealed that his condition is stable with no serious damage to the eye and that he only needs medication for about two weeks to recover completely.

No foreign coach yet

In another development, Hockey India all but clarified that Harendra will stay at the helm of affairs as the national coach, even though bringing in a foreign expert remains in the pipeline. “As of now, we have unanimously decided that an Indian will be the national coach. As for a foreign expert, let’s see, nothing’s decided as yet. Halappa, though, will be captain for this tournament and we will take it from there after that,” HI media director Anupam Ghulati said.

He added that since the regular team doctor, BK Nayak, was employed with the Indian Army and wasn’t being relieved by the IMA, the team will be accompanied by Dr PSM Chandran on the tour. “The final call, however, is yet to be taken. We would ideally like it if Dr Nayak’s relieving comes through. But we can’t force it,” he added.