Halappa, Rajpal should have been
included for qualifiers: Ashok Kumar

By Paritosh Pramanik

HE MIGHT be in his early 60s but Ashok Kumar walks with élan on the natural green turf. The two-time Olympian, son of hockey wizard Major Dhyanchand, still looks as fit as in his prime. The World Cup winner, on a personal visit to the city, made it a point to bless Vidarbha Hockey Association’s green field, which he had dedicated to hockey players a few years back.
In an exclusive but informal chat with ‘The Hitavada’ at the ground, Ashok Kumar talked on various topics ranging from Indian team’s chances of qualifying for London Olympics to omission of Arjun Halappa and Rajpal Singh and World Series Hockey.

Excerpts:

Q. What are India’s chances in the qualifiers?
Ashok Kumar (AK): I think this is the best chance for India to qualify for London Olympics. If they can’t make this time then it would be very difficult in future. We would be playing at home, in front of home crowd. It would be an added advantage. Above all, other teams are not that tough as compared to the Germans, Dutch and Australians. I am sure India would book ticket for London at New Delhi.
Q. Are you happy with those selected for the qualifiers?
AK: Selectors have picked the best 18. Coach Michael Nobbs and selectors might have discussed on several points before picking these players. Under Nobbs the team has done well in the first Asian Champions Trophy and I hope they would perform much better.
Q. Do you think Arjun Halappa and Rajpal Singh should have been in the squad?
AK: Yes, I think Arjun is a utility player. He can be the lynchpin of the team. I think he should have been in the squad for the experience he brings in. Similarly, Rajpal should also have found place in the 18. The reason given by Hockey India that he has been dropped on poor fitness and the reply given by Rajpal (that no fitness test was taken) are contradicting. Such contradicting statements confuse general public and might hamper team’s performance.
Q. Do you think this is a fall-out of Halappa and Rajpal joining hands with Indian Hockey Federation-backed World Series Hockey?
AK: If that is the reason then it is hockey that would suffer. The two warring bodies should keep their fight out while selecting team for the country.
Q. Should Hockey India take help of former players?
AK: Yes, I am very much in favour of former players like Dhanraj Pillay and others be invited for their expertise. Former captain Dilip Tirkey is training the defenders. He knows present day’s hockey. Similarly, players who retired recently should be included in the scheme of things.
Q. Nobbs has proposed rotation in the team after every nine minutes. Do you favour this move?
AK: Not at all. Changing a player after every nine minutes would break the tempo. If the team is in attacking mode then you can’t pull out a forward. It would break the combination and flow. Even Dhanraj never played for full 35 minutes. He used to play for 20-25 minutes and then take break of two minutes to regain energy. Similarly, Nobbs should let the boys play for longer period and change only if he feels that a player is getting exhausted.
Q: Who would be the match winners for India in qualifiers?
AK: India’s chances would depend a lot on drag-flicker Sandeep Singh. He is a great player and world’s best drag-flicker. Raghunath too is exceptional. It would be great to see how Sardara Singh shows his skills. He has played as a defender (during World Cup). He also showed great stick work while playing as a forward. A lot would depend on him.
Q. Do you support World Series Hockey? Who would benefit from it?
AK: World Series Hockey is a great concept. Even though foreign players are playing in it, the series would benefit local talents. Fringe players, who are unable to showcase their talent would get a chance of rubbing shoulders with some of world’s greats. I think this is a great opportunity for Indian hockey. Sahara Parivar has increased sponsorship money to Indian hockey teams, Nimbus has pumped in money in form of WSH. I wish HI and IHF bury their egos and join hands for the benefit of the national game.