Ex hockey player Sommaya blasts the hockey bosses

CHANDIGARH: There is no magic wand to resurrect Indian hockey. AC this point in time, we must accept that we are not the best side in the world. Indeed, have not been for the past decade or so, which most critics seem to forget in their postmortems.

But let me state that we are not fighting a lost cause. There is a silver lining to the dark clouds, manifest in our showing at the ‘Olympics where we finished sixth, a good six places higher than the World Cup in 1988. Not many people, I’m afraid have appreciated this.

From my experience over the last decade, 1 can reveal that the comparisons between players and sides of previous eras has added untold pressure on the current ones, Whenever we have succeeded it has been accepted without much, applause or reward because we were supposed to succeed.

this been a long, long time for critics spectators and I dare say even the officials acknowledge that modem hockey is not quite the same game it was 20, 30 and 40 years ago and that other teams have improved beyond recognition to make the ‘competition at the international level very, very stiff.

I would not like to dwell too long on this aspect for it would be self-defeating and not constructive, the crux of the problems that basis Indian Hockey today is where do we go from here. We have accepted that we are not the best artificial turf shave changed the Very nature of the sport, and that we have risen from the pits to a decent level. Now, can we become champions again?

There is no doubt in my mind that we can if we plan, well, get our priorities right and accept that hockey players are also sportsmen who represent the country and deserve a better deal than they have relieved so far.

The 532 system should be maintained because our forwards are now geared to the fact that they also have to fall back in defense, since we play this pattern from our formative years, it suits us best.

Latest Skills 1 would also argue that our coaches should be sent abroad for training rather than foreign coaches brought here. There is better interaction with your own men than ‘others though it is imperative that we, players derive information of the latest and training methods

Our views on training are lopsided. Very ‘of what is happening at the international percolates down the player while the off insist on lengthy camps. I honestly believe Jong drawn camps are counterproductive. Stifle the enthusiasm of the players, make unimaginative,

Players should be responsible enough to on their fitness individually and with their orlocal teams and camps should be held for a couple of weeks prior to a tournament. A test before joining the camp would be and ‘would ensure that players do train on their own

Exposure Needed

Perhaps the most important requirement today is greater exposure to modern me of hockey employed by different teams in world. Simply playing Pakistan at regulars hardly the solution,

If we could get continental sides and teams like Australia to play in India and versa, our players and coaches would a lot more even if we lose. 1 don’t buy the that such contests would be a losing profit.

If properly organized and advertised, there be spectators and consequently even money.

Yes. Money is a key word in our and the solution, the time has arrived, in opinion to rethink our strict adherence 10 “amateur code.” The highest amount I was paid for playing for India was Rs 5000 per against Pakistan, for international tour like the World Cup and others $10.00 a is paid as pocket money. I don’t think we produce champions through gross exploitation.

Mind you and I say this of every single I have played with, we derive great pleasure and pride in representing the country, but the end of the road there must be something tangible. Something in the kitty for the long, hard hours in the camps, on tours, for and the tension.

Local clubs and associations should give a better deal so that they motivate them to do better for the country 1 think the is fairly obvious.

T sincerely believes that better PR at the level is very, very important. We have very say in the functioning of the parent body so is little justification in the cribbing that when the rules are amended or altered and get referees against our choice for important matches. We are muted where it most. We need to get our voice back

Article extracted from this publication >>  February 17, 1989