Post HIL, hectic schedule awaits Indian hockey team
NEW DELHI: On their arrival from Ranchi, where the Delhi Waveriders claimed the Hockey India League title, skipper Sardar Singh hugged goalkeeper Nicolas Jacobi. Holding the trophy, he said, “This is for your efforts.”
Jacobi was instrumental in saving the day for Delhi in the tie-breaker. With that, the players took different routes — Sardar headed home while Jacobi proceeded to catch his flight to Germany.
It’s time for Sardar & Co to gear up for the hectic schedule ahead. Known to keep emotions under wraps, Sardar could not hide the fact that he was tired. “Two weeks of rest should mend the body,” he said.
Under coach, Terry Walsh, the current season is challenging for the national team. After the World Hockey League Final, the World Cup in Hague, beginning May 31, Glasgow Commonwealth and Asian Games in Incheon are the important competitions on Walsh’s radar. The coming Roelant Oltmans, Indian hockey’s high performance director, accepted that HIL had impacted the performance at the recent World Hockey League (WHL) Finals at Delhi. “India bettered their position in the WHL and the players had no inhibitions in rubbing shoulders with top foreign players as they had played most of them in the HIL,” he said.
The HIL has been a lifeline for over 100 Indian players, who were part of the six franchises. Many former players too joined the HIL in different capacities. months will test the Aussie’s ability to mould the national team into a consistent bunch.
Sardar felt the players would be able to recoup in time for the World Cup. “It was tough, but two weeks of rest should do the trick,” he said.
The core group of players is expected to assemble for the national camp in the second week of March. According to Sardar, the month-long camp will be followed by a trainingcum-exposure “Not only players, we veterans too are involved in the game,” said a team mentor.
Ram Prakash, a member of the selection committee, said the performance of India players in the HIL was monitored by the selectors. “Earlier, we had only the Nationals to pick players for the India team, but the HIL has given a chance to all Indians to stake a claim to the national squad,” he said.
The league has been a good learning ground for technical officials. “Our umpires and table trip to Europe. “It will be a key element in our build-up to the World Cup,” he said.
Meanwhile, ace forward Gurwinder Singh Chandi was expected to return from injury for the Waveriders, but couldn’t recover in time. He is doubtful for the national camp as well.
Drag-flicker Rupinder Pal Singh strained his hamstring but the extent of injury is not known. officials are learning quickly from their foreign counterparts and soon Indian technical officials will be among the elite panel of umpires for international events,” said Avinash Srivastava, an official. The HIL has rekindled the love for the game among fans. The WHL matches saw empty stands in Delhi, but most of the stadiums during the HIL witnessed full houses. On Sunday, despite heavy rain and cold, fans thronged the Morabadi Stadium to watch hosts Ranchi Rhinos win against the UP Wizards.