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Friday, May 30, 2008
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‘India can regain lost ground’

— Photo: K. Murali Kumar

Ric Charlesworth.

BANGALORE: “It’s an irony,” admitted Ric Charlesworth, Technical Advisor, Indian hockey.

The four-time Olympian, who is in India on recommendation of the FIH, will be conducting coaches’ clinic for nearly 40 regional coaches at the SAI South Centre, here, for the next five days. “As a kid, we grew up playing hockey under coaches from India and Pakistan in the 1960s. Today, it is us Aussies who are coming over to India to coach,” he said.

The debate was triggered by M.P. Ganesh, Olympian and former Executive Director, SAI, who in his address during the formal inauguration of the five-day workshop raised the issue.

“Balkishen, a former National coach, had travelled to Australia and Europe to train them in the 1960s and 70s… today we have an Australian to coach our coaches. It’s a full circle… it’s a give and take policy and there are no regrets,” Ganesh said.

Talking about the clinic, Charlesworth insisted that it will be an interactive one.

“It will be two-ways. Without the active participation of the coaches, the purpose will not be solved. Coaches cannot play on the field. But they have to equip the players to take up the responsibility on the field and play to their capabilities. And this is a huge task,” Charlesworth said.

He added: “these workshops are small steps towards rebuilding the structure called Indian hockey and it is a long way ahead. But with the right attitude, India should be able to regain lost ground.” — Special Correspondent

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