The Hindu : Rajinder blasts players

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 17, 2003

Sport

Sport - Hockey

Rajinder blasts players

NEW DELHI SEPT. 16. The Indian hockey team's chief coach Rajinder Singh made a plea to the players and the media to work in the right direction in the quest for international glory.

Speaking his mind at the end of the camp to prepare the team for the Asia Cup to be held at Kuala Lumpur. Rajinder Singh observed that there would be better results only if the players realised their responsibilities towards the nation. And the media too towards the game and the team.

"I've nothing against the media. We're thankful for the coverage we've been getting but of late there's been a needless hype surrounding the team and this to me is one of the main reasons for the players not being able to concentrate on their job. This 24-hour coverage is not required really. This kind of publicity can have a negative affect on the players and it did at the Champions Trophy. It was sickening to know the players were engaged in giving interviews and phone-ins even before having had a team discussion on the match. Let there be heroes but only if they deserve the status. Some of the players can match politicians but I would like them to remain pure hockey players, and not some actors in front of television cameras. I believe in being honest and I've shared my feelings with the aim to improve the state of affairs,'' said the coach, obviously angry at the way things have progressed in the past fortnight.

Rajinder had been wanting to discuss this issue of interaction with media threadbare and he used the opportunity today to highlight what he claimed was his "plight.'' The coach continued "I've been trying to guide the boys as an elder brother, as a friend. I only have their interests in mind. I want them to do well and then take on the world, do as many media sessions as they want. But, pray, first let us achieve our goals. Is it proper to concentrate on media coverage when you've failed in the role that you've been assigned. There is a time for everything and today we need to just concentrate on winning the Asia Cup. The players at times could not even train properly. And I know they were also disturbed when they wanted to rest. Take the endorsements. Some players feel some are getting good contracts and some not. I'm worried this could lead to factionalism and that's what I want to avoid at this crucial juncture when we're all involved in the rebuilding and revival of Indian hockey.''

In the opinion of the coach, needless pressure from unwanted quarters affected the team at the Champions Trophy. "And me too,'' he emphasised. "After just one loss to Holland it was said that I should be removed. It was not proper I thought. I've been working with certain things in my mind and feel strongly about certain things. Please accept the fact that the team as a whole needs to improve its basics. What can I do if the players don't do their home work and don't work hard. All this would be taken care of if we improve our bench strength. We've to have competition for places. Once this sense of complacency is removed I'm sure the team's overall performance would improve tremendously,'' he said.

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