Hockey’s return journey starts with reality check

“I’m disappointed. If you’ve watched the Olympics, you’ll realise we lag behind by at least 10 years. We used to be a proud hockey nation, but we have not evolved at all over the last few years,” he says pointing to the rather uni-dimensional hockey attempted by the juniors.

The 1990 World Cupper has 23 of the country’s best academy squads to choose from to put together three teams which will be trained further under an IOA-directive. “I don’t see too many teams having woken up to the concept of modern hockey.”

There’s little off-the-ball running, for starters. “Most receive the ball standing — which is just not done. And the basics of the game have changed — it’s not about stickwork anymore, basics now are trapping and hitting.”

Coaching for coaches?

Part of the blame lies with coaching, he says. “There’s a lot of energy among players, but they need guidance, or countries like New Zealand will just keep improving, and we’ll find it difficult to catch up.”

What is of even greater worry to the talent-scout here is that not even one drag flicker has caught his eye at the assembly of juniors. “There are a couple who tried, but nobody extremely exciting.”

BS Kuttappa, the second selector asked to pick the 66, says a systemic failure over the last few years has brought things to a pass, but the juniors are determined to redeem India’s status. Former assistant coach Clarence Lobo, who dropped in to watch, too admits there are a lot of individual skills but combining it all will need work. “The tournament’s good, but a uniform system of training for all academy coaches, co-ordinated by the chief national coach, is important. We don’t want players moving in ten different directions and the resulting confusion,” he says.

Strains from Chak De! India blare out intermittently at the BHA, but Indian hockey needs more than musical inspiration right now.