The Hindu : Sport / Hockey : `Consider eligible juniors for selection to Olympic squad'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, May 02, 2004

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Sport - Hockey

`Consider eligible juniors for selection to Olympic squad'

By Our Special Correspondent

MUMBAI, MAY 1. The pain of defeat is familiar to Indian hockey. But the joy of winning is an experience we still have to get used to. The junior Asia Cup triumph at Karachi, coming just four months ahead of the Athens Olympics, presents an opportunity to move in a positive direction.

Three distinguished Olympians — Joaquim Carvalho, Mervyn Fernandes and M.M. Somaya — present their views on ways to cash in on the Karachi achievement. All three had been invited by national junior coach Harender Singh to give the Pakistan-bound boys a pep talk at the Mahindra stadium. They were unanimous in their opinion that consistent performers among these juniors could even be considered for inclusion among the probables for the 2004 Olympics, if the chief coach sees a role for them in his plans for the Olympics at August.

This is what they have to say:

Joaquim Carvalho: Most players on the Junior Asia Cup squad had been exposed to the senior level, playing for their employers in domestic tournaments and for India at the Azlan Shah Cup. This experience held them in good stead, though the boys should not get carried away by results. This group can be considered groomed for the senior level if handled properly, given international exposure and specialised coaching. Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev are invited by the cricket board to provide their insights at national camps. Hockey should follow suit with special coaches for goalkeepers, defenders, halfbacks and forwards. Ashish Ballal and M.M. Somaya are names, which come to my mind as trainers for the junior goalkeepers and midfielders.

The think-tank of the Indian senior and junior squads should find out ways to work together when finalising the team for Athens. Forward Tushar Khandekar, whom I have watched from his India under-16 days, is a player of tremendous potential not getting a chance to make his mark at the senior level. Penalty corner specialist Sandeep Singh too can be considered. He needs match practice and one-to-one tackling sessions. Girish Pimpale, with his skills and speed, is a thinking player who can be used in the midfield. Goalkeeper Adrian D'Souza too can be considered as an understudy to Devesh Chauhan and William Xalxo in defence.

We can cash in on the Karachi win by having exhibition matches featuring the victorious side taking on combined State teams at different centres.

Mervyn Fernandes: Self-belief and enthusiasm marked the performance of the Indian juniors at the Mumbai camp. The way they converted chances and penalty corners at the tournament under tense situations was further proof to their confidence. Sandeep Singh's performance in the final, after having been shut out in the semifinals by South Korea, was remarkable. He can be among the probables for Athens after the coach takes a decision on Len Aiyappa's utility. Khandekar, Xalxo, Adrian and Pimpale are close to getting ready for senior standards. The publicity for hockey due to the junior Asia Cup victory can be used to arrange exhibition matches between junior and senior teams, like in our days. The juniors were enthusiastic about getting selected for the national squad and we seniors became aware of competition for places.

M.M. Somaya: The maturity of the team was one of the main reasons for the victory. India had a versatile midfield, a stable defence and an efficient goalkeeper.

Finishing by the forwards is a major area that needs improvement before this group can be considered good enough to take on Europeans at the junior World Cup. The struggle against South Korea, which employed a man-to-man marking game-plan, showed the difficulties our forwards face. The victory celebrations should not take our focus away from the competition at Karachi, restricted to two tough matches against Korea and Pakistan.

Defender Xalxo, goalkeeper Adrian and forward Sandeep Michael can be considered options for the 2004 Olympics. Xalxo has the calmness and the class to be used even in the first XI if regular senior defenders are not available. Adrian can be considered as a substitute. Michael has already proved ability to keep pace with the main forwards. Pimpale and Sandeep Singh can be groomed to play at a higher level.

Cashing in on the Karachi win is not easy unless the federation goes out of its way to do so. Indian hockey has not been able to take advantage of bigger victories in the past. It makes sense to use the victory to attract corporate sponsorship. Money payments to these juniors who did the country proud at Karachi may be a better way to make people look up to them, instead of building up hype after the Asia Cup win, which is only a preliminary step towards the goal of defending the junior World Cup.

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