Next target is Asian Games gold, says Sardar Singh

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 5
Having won the silver medal at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, the Indian hockey team has now set its sight on winning the gold medal in this year’s Asian Games which would give the erstwhile champions of the game a direct ticket to the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Captain Sardar Singh said the CWG brought to the forefront many positives along with some areas that need urgent attention. “Our next step is winning the gold at the Asian Games and the boys are confident. We have improved as a team which reflected in our performance at the CWG,” Sardar said.

The hockey team arrived in the capital to a rousing reception with the CWG silver medals proudly hanging around the players’ necks. Hockey India and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) officials welcomed the players with garlands.

India was beaten by Australia 4-0 in the final. But, irrespective of the result, the silver finish was not a disappointing show since Sardar’s side defeated the higher-ranked New Zealand in the semifinal clash.

Sardar, however, conceded that there are still some areas which the team needs to work on. “We will work on our weaknesses and put forward a better team for the Asian Games. We need to be more consistent with our game and show better communication skills on the field,” he said.

Hockey India secretary general Narinder Batra congratulated the team and said the good showing at the CWG will boost the confidence of the players.

“All their hard work and efforts before the tournament helped them perform well, bringing laurels to the country. The entire nation is proud of the team. I wish them the very best for Asian Games,” he said.

The Asian Games will be held in Incheon, South Korea, from September 19 to October 4. In the last edition of the Games in Guangzhou, China, the Indian team had finished third after beating South Korea 1-0.