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Apr
7
Written by:
Sundeep Misra
Thursday, April 07, 2011
Hockey India has chosen a captain, Arjun Halappa, for the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament. It’s heartening to know they do take decisions. The last time a few voices came out of the offices of Hockey India was when the secretary, Mr Narinder Batra, said they would take action against Sardara Singh and Sandeep Singh for playing in the European League.
Both these players, Sardara, who was part of the Asian All Stars and Sandeep, the top scorer in the Asian Games, are key to India’s hockey campaign and Olympic qualification. Deleting both of them from the Azlan Shah team smacks of misplaced arrogance with no links to reality. But then when was Indian hockey realistic?
Hockey India should be glad that two players are at least playing competitive hockey and not sitting at home or attending meaningless camps under coaches who probably have exhausted their bag tricks. In the real world of sport, coaches are always looking forward to players playing in foreign leagues so that in tough competition, the players can pass on some tips when playing European teams. Both these players are acquiring firsthand knowledge of European teams by playing in the Belgian League.
It’s a little difficult to understand why players can’t be counseled. Hockey India says they didn’t take a NOC from the federation. Yes, there are rules and they should be followed. What is perplexing is how did the Belgian League accept two of India’s top players without an NOC from the Indian federation? Europeans are known to be stringent when it comes to rules. Or are these two players paying the price for being at the forefront when Nimbus announced the World Series Hockey with the Indian Hockey Federation? It’s not Hockey India’s loss. It’s Indian hockey’s loss. For years, Indian hockey has been losing players. In the way, the coaches have reacted or not reacted, nobody really cares whether India performs at the Azlan or not. Ego massage is the need of the hour not enhancing performance levels.
Well, the news is most of the top players are either injured or not being selected to represent the country. Former captain Rajpal Singh and Tushar Khandekar are out with injury. Sandeep Singh and Sardara Singh did the mistake of playing in a competitive league. Bharat Chikara didn’t report for the camp on medical grounds and Prabodh Tirkey also opted out. A bit of good news is that former deep defender William Xalxo may return to the team.
The final list for the Azlan Shah will be named on April 19th. The other nations participating in the Azlan Shah are: Hosts Malaysia, World Champions Australia, Asian Games champions Pakistan, South Korea, Great Britain and New Zealand.
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6 comment(s) so far...
Re: No top players for Azlan; Arjun is captain
The silver lining here is that new players get a chance to prove themselves. Everything else is the same; maybe the infighting has got worse. if I were one of the players, I would take citizenship in one of the European countries. I would then have a better life and may even be a part of an Olympic gold medal winning team! As things stand, India is far from ready for an Olympic medal let alone a berth. Eternal India, Incredible India.
Jai Hind!
By rajendar menen on
Friday, April 08, 2011
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Re: No top players for Azlan; Arjun is captain
Why do these players play? Can't they just refuse and say improve comditions and we will play?
I know it's their profession. But something needs to be done. Hockey is not only a sport. It's our pride. We won't even win a match at the Azlan. And we are yet to qualify for the Olympics. I believe the coaches and support staff only want to avail of the free travel at tax payers expense. None of them care for hockey.
By saket gupta on
Friday, April 08, 2011
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Re: No top players for Azlan; Arjun is captain
I think Indian hockey have only 5% chances of qualify for London Olympics. There is no one serious about Indian Hockey . Appointing Harendra Singh as a coach of National team is the badest thing to happen for Hockey . we have to go for foreign coach .
By navjot singh on
Monday, August 08, 2011
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Re: No top players for Azlan; Arjun is captain
I was hoping you would comment on the Azlan tourney. What happened, why this silence?
Not even one match was televised. And we have got used to getting thrashed and trashed.
Now who will coach the team? What are our Olympic plans?
Any self-respecting and talented Indian player should migrate. He and his family will have a great life and he will also be able to contribute greatly to world hockey.
At the rate at which we are going downhill, we will soon get thrashed by Canada, South Africa, China, Belgium, Poland, Ireland and a host of other minor nations.
Jai Hind!
By rajendar menen on
Monday, August 08, 2011
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Re: No top players for Azlan; Arjun is captain
The Champions Trophy will be held from December 1-11 and the prestigious tournament will be followed by the men's and women's Olympic qualifiers, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) stated in a release.
The dates for the tournament, which will be hosted by India, were decided upon after FIH president Leandro Negre held talks with sports minister Ajay Maken and Hockey India (HI) officials earlier this week.
Negre was in the Capital to discuss a number of matters regarding the apex body's development projects in India.
He discussed with HI officials the launch of a new FIH -- Hockey India Professional League, but a final announcement on this will be made following FIH's executive board meeting in March.
During his meeting with the sports minister, Negre reaffirmed FIH's position regarding its recognition of Hockey India as the sole governing body for the sport in India, while Maken vowed to support the development of hockey in the country.
By mridul on
Monday, August 08, 2011
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Re: No top players for Azlan; Arjun is captain
Sardara Singh is a nice player in India. I like him very much bcz I am from Pakistan and I have also played hockey.
By khan on
Monday, August 08, 2011
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