Kolkata, July 24 Ad hoc committee chief wants an administrative head to put plans in place

The young team has given Indian hockey a new lease of life, but a lackadaisical administration is still not geared up to carry this momentum forward. This is despite the fact that the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is now controlling the show and there is no KPS Gill and his cronies to spoil the party.

Two success stories —the runners-up trophy at the Azlan Shah tournament and then the junior team’s Asian triumph — have ushered in a new hope. Question is, who will carry forward this feel-good factor and will give direction to reach the next level? Selection committee chairman Aslam Sher Khan seems to be searching for answers.

“Frankly speaking, we are rudderless at the moment. We need somebody at the helm of affairs to give us directions to move forward,” he told The Indian Express.
He added: “We will be hosting the 2010 World Cup. These young boys have the potential to become world beaters and we have the roadmap ready for them. But who will put the plans in place and will implement them?

“The IOA has taken over the Indian hockey and has set up an ad-hoc committee under my chairmanship. But our job is basically restricted to selecting teams. So, there must be somebody to look after the administrative affairs, to ensure a proper infrastructure. We need an administrative head who will give shape to the plans.”

Khan is irked at the way the entire Ric Charlseworth episode was “blown out of proportion”. “Coach is a non-issue at the moment. We don’t need any overseas experts. With these young boys we have identified the core that will represent India in 2010 World Cup and 2012 Olympics. Some of the boys who played in the junior Asian Championship are exceptionally talented. Now the coach’s role is to nurture them properly and to motivate them for the bigger stage. That can be easily done by anybody worth his salt as a hockey coach.”

According to him, the IOA’s top priority should be to put a proper system in place if it has any aspiration to win a medal in the World Cup. “When the IOA took over the Indian hockey the message that went out to the people was that the hockey players were now in charge. But you can’t revive a sport only by forming a panel comprising ex-Olympians. You must have your long-term and short-term plans ready for junior and senior levels. Currently I don’t see anything concrete.”

Khan warned, without specific plans success can be “short-lived” and the IOA must ensure that the momentum that is gained is carried forward.