Aussie skipper Knowles: I’m not thinking of quitting yet
IPOH: Retirement is far from Australian skipper Mark Knowles’ mind.
Knowles, who turned 32 last month, believes he still has the game to play at the highest level in world hockey.
“I hope to play in my fourth Olympics (in Rio de Janeiro in August). That’s going to be a major achievement for any player. At 32, I am at the tailend of my career but I’m not thinking of quitting yet.
“I’m fit and raring to go. I will always be available for selection and I want to play on till the next Commonwealth Games and World Cup (in 2018),” said Knowles.
Knowles has practically won everything in the sport. He was in the Australian team that last won the Olympic gold in Athens in 2004. Then in 2014, he won the World Cup in The Hague. Besides that, he has also won two Champions Trophy (2005 and 2012) and three Commonwealth Games golds (2006, 2010 and 2014).
To top it all, he was named 2014 World Player of the Year by the International Hockey Federation (FIH).
Knowles is now playing in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup tournament. He helped Australia thrash India 5-1 in their opening match at the Sultan Azlan Shah Stadium on Thursday.
The Kookaburras are the favourites to win the title for a record ninth time.
Knowles, who has 276 international caps, said winning is everything for Australia.
“It has been the team’s culture. That’s the way we are. You cannot win it all but we will never stop trying. That is the Australian way,” added Knowles.
Knowles also said he would be back to play in next year’s Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.
“This is not my last Azlan Shah Cup. I was 20 when I made my debut in 2004.
“I will surely be back next year. I love coming here,” said Knowles, a member of the winning team on six occasions.