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Fleet foot forward
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Star striker, Gagan Ajit Singh, is ready to take on Holland in the three-test series starting today, writes V.V. SUBRAHMANYAM
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THE MERCURIAL striker of the Indian hockey team, Gagan Ajit Singh, believes there is scope for improvement in his game. The statement from someone so gifted and who has scripted some of the most fabulous moments in recent memory, particularly against arch-rivals Pakistan sounds ominous. The 24-year-old star is gearing up for bigger challenges particularly next month's Athens Olympics qualifiers in Madrid - even as the immediate focus is on the three-test series against Holland at the magnificent floodlit Gachibowli complex (scheduled on February 5, 7 and 8).
"It is an honour to be noted as a good player. Obviously, when you are picked to play for the country, it is an acknowledgement that you are the best in that particular position," he said in an informal chat after a strenuous session.
"Honestly, I don't believe that there is pressure on me because of expectations. I always think that I should improve my performance. The ultimate desire is to be a perfect shooter," he explains.
This fleet-footed forward is now focussing on essaying those quick passes to team-mates and not just on scoring. Chief coach, Rajinder Singh, felt during the Afro-Asian Games here in October that Gagan had to improve his skills on top of the `D' and hockey is not all about slipping into the striking zone but countering defence when blocked to help others score. The current Indian players have a special relationship with Rajinder Singh for they have been with him since the victorious sojourn to Hobart when they won the 2001 Junior World Cup with Gagan as captain.
"Fortunately, he knows our strengths and formulates strategies which suit our style. It has become a habit for us to repay his immense faith with hard work and dedication on the field," says Gagan.
Talking about the excellent run the team has enjoyed, Gagan said, "I believe it is team spirit more than anything else. We always enjoy our training and stay in these camps during events. I have spent more time in recent years with my teammates than my family.Yet, we never felt homesick. The credit goes to the Rajinder Singh and his assistant Baldev Singh." Gagan also gives credit to Prabhjot Singh and Sandeep Michael and Deepak Thakur among others for their support. "When you have the defence marshalled so efficiently and unobtrusively by captain Dilip Tirkey, you always have the privilege to attack," he says.Star left-winger of yesteryear, Zafar Iqbal, felt that his team would have come up with outstanding performances if only it had a player of Gagan's class. Reacting to this, Gagan remarked, "It's a great honour to be spoken of so highly by someone who was himself was a great player. It is so nice to know that you are being recognised in this competitive world."
"I always dream of India winning. With that endeavour in mind, I try to give more than 100 per cent." He acknowledges that he is now one of the most marked players in contemporary sport. The opposition knows that he is one of those players who can make a difference. Reflecting on the injury to his close friend and penalty-corner specialist Jugraj Singh, an emotional Gagan termed it as an, "accident to Indian hockey itself. By God's grace, he has recovered from that road accident and should be fighting fit at least for Olympics. He is bound to make a big difference to the team's fortunes."
Gagan recalls watching the illustrious Dhanraj Pillay in action as a schoolboy. "And, when I got the opportunity to play alongside him, it was something special. No doubt, we miss him here in the series against Holland," he says. Unlike most sportspersons from non-cricketing disciplines, Gagan does feel that the media focus is giving hockey it's due. "Even when we didn't win the last Champions Trophy in Holland, we were never condemned. There was a lot of encouragement and it slowly paved for the success stories in Asia Cup, the Afro-Asian Games to name two significant achievements," he observed.
The son of former Olympian Ajit Singh, Gagan, when down and out, looks to his father for those comforting words of wisdom and makes a sincere effort to rectify any flaws in his game. Gagan enjoys free time with his family. He is to Indian hockey what Sachin Tendulkar is to cricket. A match-winner with unbridled skills and original talent. Gagan Ajit Singh's ultimate goal is an Olympic gold in the 2004 Games. "Nothing else can provide you greater satisfaction than that," he says.
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