Sardar no longer India captain
Days to go
We felt people need to take more responsibilities on the pitch and off it. Sardar had way too many things to tackle because of which he was not performing at the level expected of him Sardar took the decision (of him being removed from captaincy) sportingly. He understands what’s required from him
has retained the core of the side that has played together for two years. Twelve of the sixteen members of the squad were part of the team that sealed the Olympic berth at the Asian Games in Incheon two years back and won silver at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
EXCESS RESPONSIBILITY Oltmans said the move to relieve Sardar of captaincy is aimed at ensuring the seasoned midfielder is freed of excess responsibility. “Sardar had way too many to tackle because of which he was not performing at the level that is expected of him,” he said.
“Sardar took the decision (of him being removed from captaincy) sportingly. He understands what’s required from ROELANT OLTMANS, India high performance director on former skipper Sardar Singh (in pic) him.”
Asked if Sardar’s off-field controversy bogged him down, the Dutchman replied in the affirmative.“Of course those things did affect him,” he said, pertaining to the legal tangle that the former skipper finds himself in following a rape allegation.
Newly-appointed skipper Sreejesh believes restoring faith in the players is vital. “It doesn’t matter who is named skipper, what’s important each and every member of the team should have faith in himself. It would help us function as a unit and win matches,” he said.
CHANU REPLACES RANI The women’s team, which has qualified for the quadrennial spectacle for the first time in 36 Standbys: Hinalum Lal Ruat Feli, Rajani Etmarpu
Harmanpreet Singh, Rupinderpal Singh, Kothajit Singh, Surender Kumar, Manpreet Singh, Sardar Singh, VR Raghunath, SK Uthappa, PR Sreejesh (capt), Danish Mujtaba, Devinder Walmiki, SV Sunil (vice capt), Akashdeep Singh, Chinglensana Singh, Ramandeep Singh,Nikkin Thimmaiah.
Standbys: Pradeep Mor, Vikas Dahiya years, will be led by 24-year-old Sushila Chanu. The Manipur defender replaces Ritu Rani who has been dropped from the side allegedly due to form and attitude problems.
Coached by Aussie Neil Hawgood, the team is going through a rough patch.
The 13th-ranked team finished sixth at the eight-nation Hawke’s Bay Cup in New Zealand (April 2-10) and fourth at the invitational Four Nations Tournament in Darwin, Australia (May 25-June 5) under the stewardship of Chanu.
In between, Rani led India to a disastrous tour to England, where they lost all five matches. They have won just one game over the past three months, against Canada, ranked five places below them.