More on what ails Indian hockey

If we are serious about getting our hockey back on track, we need to design and implement a program that will start with 10 year olds, nurture their talent and coach them for the next 15 years or so. District level talent spotting efforts need to be supported with physical and mental conditioning, adequate nutrition and of course, fitness regimes.

The question is not whether a foreign coach can do the job better than an Indian coach. What matters is that whoever is selected to coach the team should know the way the modern game is played- not just in India but also in strong hockey-playing nations like Australia, Germany, Holland and so on. He should be able to meld the individuals (from different parts of the country) into a coherent fighting force.

The recent controversy around Ric Charlesworth’s role in rejuvenating Indian hockey is another example of India’s  hockey establishment being either unable to take the right steps or unwilling to. Either way, it does not bode well for Indian hockey. It should not be about finger-pointing either by former hockey players or current administrators of the game. All sides must put aside their personal differences and work together for Indian hockey- if they are serious about raising the standards. If not, let the Sports Ministry write a requiem for Indian hockey. Let even the limited resources currently being spent on hockey be re-directed to other sports.

Charlesworth was a formidable opponent on the field in his playing days during the seventies and eighties and Indian hockey teams from those periods have often been drubbed by Aussie teams playing under Ric. He probably does have quite a bit to offer Indian hockey, provided we are willing to accept it. However, if Indian talent is uncovered from rural India, and these players are not comfortable with English, we are adding another communication layer/overhead betwen the coach (Ric) and the team. And how well the interpreters do their job will be key. Speaking through interpreters may also inhibit free and frank interactions.

But at this time, we have to start somewhere and I am sure we can do worse than Ric. But the IHF should empower him adequately; else it will only be setting Ric up for failure and after one year, there will be calls for his ouster.

I wonder why corporate India is not more active in supporting hockey. It may be an investment with a 3 year gestation period. But if things go well, the ROI will be manifold. Is any CEO from India Inc. listening? Or should I say, reading this piece?