War hero’s pep talk

New Delhi: Aiming to break its medal jinx in the upcoming Commonwealth Games,Indian men’s hockey team is undertaking special lecture sessions on psychology from Kargil war hero and Vir Chakra awardee Colonel Lalit Rai. Colonel Rai is closely working with the national team players and giving them practical assignments on how to handle pressure situations in the training camp in Pune. “The sessions with Colonel Rai are benefiting the team. He is working with the players at individual and team level. There are classes and practical assignment as well. The emphasis is on handling pressure and boosting their morale,” national coach Harendra Singh said. India has failed to fetch any medal in hockey since the game’s introduction in the Commonwealth Games in 1998.But Harendra exuded confidence that this time around the team is better prepared for podium finish. “I am confident that we are going to break the jinx this time. We have worked hard on the mistakes committed during the World Cup. A new strategy has been planned and players were made to realise that only results matter,” Harendra said from Pune.Hosts India had a disappointing outing in the World Cup earlier this year,where it finished a lowly eighth out of 12 teams at National Stadium here.

KIWIS may pull out

Wellington: New Zealand who were committed to competing at next month’s Delhi Commonwealth Games would have no hesitation pulling out if any security concerns were raised,team management said on Monday. “Anyone suggesting that we are going to put our athletes at risk is mischievous,” New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) president Mike Stanley told reporters in Auckland.“Right now,New Zealand is planning to be in Delhi. If things change and the New Zealand government can’t advise us that our athletes are secure in that environment,then we won’t go,” he added. Stanley said the security assessment would be ongoing and there was no deadline for a final decision on participation. “That could be right up until the start of the Games and it will be monitored (throughout),” he said. Security issues at sporting events within the region have been hotly debated since an attack on Sri Lankan cricketers in Pakistan last year,though Games organisers have promised a high level of security.