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Nov
30
Written by:
Sundeep Misra
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
One really can't blame Tushar Khandekar for not opening up to the media. In the system that prevails in India, if Tushar even praises Jose Brasa or criticises the way hockey is being run, he would be out of the team. Off the record, he has always maintained that Indian hockey needs strong coaches not insecure Indian Olympians without a clue about modern hockey. One of the better players in the team, Tushar is a good example of how a player can shut his mind off Indian hockey politics and just perform.
Q: Improvements in the domestic infrastructure?
Tushar: Our umpiring standard is very low. We need to improve the umpires and that would help teams improving.
Q: Improvements at the junior level?
Tushar: I think the coaches should train the juniors in what they would be playing ten years from then. We train only for the sake of training. But the coaching system should be made in a way that everything is looking at the future.
Q: Over the last few years fitness and skills have improved?
Tushar: I agree that the fitness has improved. Trainers, physios and doctors have done the good work and we have got the benefits.
Q: Has Brasa's style improved things?
Tushar: The team has improved. We have done well. And I hope we keep the momentum going.
Q: Will Brasa's going affect the Indian team?
Tushar: My job is to play on the field. Who is coming or going is not my concern. It has nothing to do with me. I am not bothered. I will give my hundred percent on the field.
Q: An Indian player or a foreigner as coach?
Tushar: A lot of Indian players can also coach. In the last 15 years, a lot of Indian players have seen the pace of the international game and know what is happening. They should come forward and coach the team.
Q: Do you think we should get an Indian or foreign coach?
Tushar: I don't want to comment on who should come or not.
Q: Qualifying for the Olympics is a tough job?
Tushar: We have to qualify. Hockey India will do something in preparation for the London Olympics.
Q: Brasa has left and Harendra has quit. Will it affect motivation?
Tushar: Hockey India will find a coach or whatever. Our job is to play on the field.
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1 comment(s) so far...
Re: Our job is to play: Tushar Khandekar
I appreciate the views of Tushar, but there is no denying the fact that Brasa is the first coach who gave Indian hockey lovers a dream that we can play an attacking game and win. Results can never be 100% in your favour but the way you play matters. This team under Brasa transformed as a good team but it needed more exposure to be among the best.
None of the old/ veteran Indian players ( howeever great they may be ), except a very few like Pargat, Jude Felix and some more, have the understanding of modern hockey and they only live in the past glory with a close mind. It is high time we bury the past and start afresh to achieve new heights. Modern hockey is much more attractive to watch than what it was a few years back. High time we call Brasa to resume coaching and learn from him and give him at least two more years contract.
By S S Sharma on
Tuesday, December 07, 2010
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