BHUBANESWAR: There's nothing in point of fact that one can do to vary the past. Indian men's hockey has felt that pain after every big match in 2018, agonisingly lacking the gold on the Champions Trophy and failing to reach the final of Commonwealth Games (CWG) and Asian Games. So what can the Indian hockey fanatics expect from the staff on the year-end World Cup at house?
Though the results to this point this 12 months had been below-par, enjoying the World Cup at house here in Bhubaneswar could be just the shot in the arm the staff wishes. However, for coach Harendra Singh, nothing is extra vital than for the players to grasp the responsibility that incorporates wearing the India colors.
A defeat against Malaysia in the Asian Games semi-finals affected the morale of a staff that seemed good en route to successful their 2nd consecutive Champions Trophy silver. It was a blow that came with multiple repercussions: (1) India didn't protect their 2014 gold and (2) could not get direct qualification to the Tokyo Olympics.
Less than two months from the World Cup, the staff is now feeling the brunt of injuries to key players. Ramandeep Singh, SV Sunil and Birendra Lakra all operating against time to achieve full health. Sunil in fact is all but out of the premier match. But injuries are past a participant or a staff's keep an eye on. But efficiency is not, and that is what Harendra needs his staff to focus on than the rest.
"Injuries are part and parcel of sport. You have to cope with that and not just keep thinking that this player is injured or that player is injured, and that's why (good) results are not coming. That mentality has to change," mentioned Harendra throughout an interview with TimesofIndia.com.
Talking about mentality, Harendra hinted that no participant can take his position in the nationwide staff as a right and those getting the chance to put on "India colours" should know its importance.
"You have to earn the India colours. Nobody is going to give it to you on a platter. When you earn it, you should realise the responsibility that comes with it," the coach mentioned.
The coaching personnel has, of overdue, been looking on the motivational facet of coaching -- introducing the book 'Legacy' to the staff. Written by James Kerr, it outlines the tale of New Zealand's All Blacks rugby staff that become one of perfect sports activities teams on the earth.
Taking a leaf out of that book, Harendra talks about how players should try to depart their jersey as an iconic and unforgettable quantity for others to appear up to at some point.
"You should leave your jersey and the number as a legacy, so that any player of any generation wearing it should remember he has to contribute in the same way. For example., Mohammed Shahid wore No. 10 and Dhanraj Pillay No. 9. Those numbers have a legacy. If a player thinks along those lines, he can raise the bar of his game," the coach added.
After the Asian Games crisis, the captaincy of the staff has once more changed palms, with Hockey India deciding to provide it back to Manpreet Singh from PR Sreejesh, who had changed Manpreet after the CWG earlier in the 12 months.
But in a game like hockey, captaincy matters little at the field, the place every participant has an individual responsibility and is contributing against the staff's motive. Harendra too thinks along the similar traces and believes that a wholesome atmosphere and all of the players being at the "same page" is extra vital.
"We are cracking jokes more now. Sreejesh and Manpreet are the two naughtiest fellows around. Such an atmosphere is especially good for the new players who join the team," he mentioned. "We are also changing the thinking process to stay on the same page, and I call tell you that (Chris) Ciriello and I are getting the answers we expect."
If that's the the case, the camaraderie and self belief should assist the staff produce good leads to the impending Asian Champions Trophy (ACT). India will face their Asian Games slayers Malaysia, besides arch-rivals Pakistan, Asiad champions Japan and the dogged South Koreans in the match that has six teams who will compete in a Round-robin layout, with the highest four teams progressing to the semi-finals.
The Asian Champions Trophy begins on October 18, near to a month sooner than the World Cup kicks off in Bhubaneswar from November 28.
Though the results to this point this 12 months had been below-par, enjoying the World Cup at house here in Bhubaneswar could be just the shot in the arm the staff wishes. However, for coach Harendra Singh, nothing is extra vital than for the players to grasp the responsibility that incorporates wearing the India colors.
A defeat against Malaysia in the Asian Games semi-finals affected the morale of a staff that seemed good en route to successful their 2nd consecutive Champions Trophy silver. It was a blow that came with multiple repercussions: (1) India didn't protect their 2014 gold and (2) could not get direct qualification to the Tokyo Olympics.
Less than two months from the World Cup, the staff is now feeling the brunt of injuries to key players. Ramandeep Singh, SV Sunil and Birendra Lakra all operating against time to achieve full health. Sunil in fact is all but out of the premier match. But injuries are past a participant or a staff's keep an eye on. But efficiency is not, and that is what Harendra needs his staff to focus on than the rest.
"Injuries are part and parcel of sport. You have to cope with that and not just keep thinking that this player is injured or that player is injured, and that's why (good) results are not coming. That mentality has to change," mentioned Harendra throughout an interview with TimesofIndia.com.
Talking about mentality, Harendra hinted that no participant can take his position in the nationwide staff as a right and those getting the chance to put on "India colours" should know its importance.
"You have to earn the India colours. Nobody is going to give it to you on a platter. When you earn it, you should realise the responsibility that comes with it," the coach mentioned.
The coaching personnel has, of overdue, been looking on the motivational facet of coaching -- introducing the book 'Legacy' to the staff. Written by James Kerr, it outlines the tale of New Zealand's All Blacks rugby staff that become one of perfect sports activities teams on the earth.
Taking a leaf out of that book, Harendra talks about how players should try to depart their jersey as an iconic and unforgettable quantity for others to appear up to at some point.
"You should leave your jersey and the number as a legacy, so that any player of any generation wearing it should remember he has to contribute in the same way. For example., Mohammed Shahid wore No. 10 and Dhanraj Pillay No. 9. Those numbers have a legacy. If a player thinks along those lines, he can raise the bar of his game," the coach added.
After the Asian Games crisis, the captaincy of the staff has once more changed palms, with Hockey India deciding to provide it back to Manpreet Singh from PR Sreejesh, who had changed Manpreet after the CWG earlier in the 12 months.
But in a game like hockey, captaincy matters little at the field, the place every participant has an individual responsibility and is contributing against the staff's motive. Harendra too thinks along the similar traces and believes that a wholesome atmosphere and all of the players being at the "same page" is extra vital.
"We are cracking jokes more now. Sreejesh and Manpreet are the two naughtiest fellows around. Such an atmosphere is especially good for the new players who join the team," he mentioned. "We are also changing the thinking process to stay on the same page, and I call tell you that (Chris) Ciriello and I are getting the answers we expect."
If that's the the case, the camaraderie and self belief should assist the staff produce good leads to the impending Asian Champions Trophy (ACT). India will face their Asian Games slayers Malaysia, besides arch-rivals Pakistan, Asiad champions Japan and the dogged South Koreans in the match that has six teams who will compete in a Round-robin layout, with the highest four teams progressing to the semi-finals.
The Asian Champions Trophy begins on October 18, near to a month sooner than the World Cup kicks off in Bhubaneswar from November 28.
Harendra Singh: Players must understand their responsibility
![Harendra Singh: Players must understand their responsibility]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
October 15, 2018
Rating:
