By A Sports Correspondent
NEW DELHI: Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) President R. Prasad said the performance of the national team at the Intercontinental Cup Tournament was “good, but could have been better.”
Mr. Pradesh said the main aim of the team was to qualify for next year’s World Cup, which it has achieved. “But winning the Intercontinental Cup would have been 1 tremendous boost for the team’s morale.”
He, however added that it was good to see Indian hockey back in the reckoning in the international arena.
‘The IHF chief said after the 1986 ‘World Cup disaster, where India ended up last, it bad been a tough job to climb back up. “Sliding downhill is always easier than the upward climb.”
Mr. Pradesh said that the IHF’s efforts had been to uplift the game in the country from the nadir into which it had plunged in and after the 1986 World Cup.
He said “the players morale was totally shattered and there was a feeling of helplessness all around. And in such circumstances we started from scratch so I don’t think we have done too badly.”
Mr, Pradesh said: “It was not a day’s job to build the team and that too for international competition when the standard of other teams has gone up considerably.”
‘The IHF President said those who were still critical of the national team’s performance in international tournaments must understand that it was brick by brick effort to replace that feeling of helplessness with confidence.
The THF insisted on sending the team abroad despite opposition from certain quarters after 1986, The stand had paid off. “At least we are back in the reckoning.”
Mr. Pradesh said it was not possible for a team which was placed 12th in the World Cup to come up immediately. “It is going to be a slow and long process, but I am hopeful we will regain our right place in the international arena.”
Asked if the IHF was contemplating any changes in the team, Mr. Pradesh said: “Changes are an ongoing process. The IHF will take a decision after hearing from the Chief coach. Those who have not done well will be replaced.”
About having a foreign coach, the IHF chief said, “I have an open mind on this
Mr. Pradesh, however, said that: “I find a lot of resistance from our coaches regarding appointing a foreign coach.”
Mr. Pradesh said that the fact was accepted by all that a foreign coach was no panece a for the ills the game is suffering. “Also the need is to have the best foreign coach for our players, But if be is the best coach why will his home country release him, And if he is not the best then why do we need him.”
He said forcing coaches who had come here to train in other displaces had also not been able to show any extraordinary improvement in the standards of the games in which they are coaching.”
Article extracted from this publication >> August 4, 1989
