Leaving the past behind and standing by the idiom let the bygones be bygones, Indian hockey team is ready to start afresh when they hit the turf in mid Feb to Qualify for the London Olympics 2012 in their own backyard. India, who have won eight Olympic medals in all, had been in news due to wrong reasons in the recent past, but the team as a whole wants to put all these aside and are determined to seal their berth in the upcoming Olympics.

Indian Hockey coach Michael Nobbs is optimistic about India’s chances at the qualifiers and has shown full trust in his boys and feels that they would not disappoint the nation. “Indian hockey has a great history and is a team which has performed well in the international area in the past but suddenly Indian hockey has gone down drastically. There might be many reasons as to why Indian hockey faced a slump, but we should not talk about it and would like to leave them behind. Right now it is very important to instill the same fervor in Indian team that it once boasted of in the past,” said Nobbs.

Indian Hockey Team, which had won eight Olympic gold medals, was at an all time low when it failed to qualify in 2008 Beijing Olympics. Huge storms followed and it changed the face of Indian Hockey forever with a new body being formed and the blame game reaching the zenith. But Michael feels that people should forget what has happened in the past and should always look out for bigger picture and head forward.

“I am sure that India would qualify for the Olympics and we are giving chance to the young talent to show their skills which would prove beneficial both for the youngsters and the team. Indian team has played many matches, and has lot of experience to its credit. And going by the standards of the present squad, it has the potential in giving tough fight,” added the Indian coach.

Nobbs, who comes from Australia, wants India to adopt Australian style of play which is more attacking and would benefit the Indian Team when they take on top teams like Australia. “There is massive change in present team and we are emphasizing more on attacking part of the match and speed rather than defensive style. I have imparted few Australian techniques in Indian hockey and players will implement both Indian style and Australian style on field and it might scare the opponents. India is the best team in the pool and have a huge advantage. India will bring back the same passion and will make their nation proud,” added the optimistic Nobbs.

India’s mettle in international hockey is something which cannot be undermined by any nation, but what had been a matter of concern for the Men In Blue is their fitness. It is a very well known fact that India as compared to their European counterparts lack in that department but India’s exercise physiologist David John feels that the players are putting extra efforts of their fitness and has become fitter than ever.

“As far as fitness level is concern, they are doing great as compared to the fitness. I have worked very hard for last three weeks to make the player mentally and physically fit. Their speed and pace has increased and they have taken to an attacking game which shows that their fitness level has increased. Both speed and stamina is required to cope with team like Australia, England, South Africa and many more and I am sure that it they would be in their best shape before they enter the qualifiers,” said John.

“They have already gone through three fitness camps and they have come up well. The present squad is really showing good response in term of fitness,” added the Australian physio.

Even the players who are sweating it out day and night in the camp feel that Indian hockey is on the path to resurrection and are enjoying their camp under Nobbs.

“It has been a great support to have Michael Nobbs as a coach. He has changed our game fully and we have started playing attacking hockey with speed and alacrity. To include young legs is something beneficial both for the team and is a very bold move," said Rajpal Singh.

The Indian team like their coach is on the same page and feel that it time that they make a move forward and refrain themselves from brooding about the past. “It was tough for us not to qualify for the Beijing Olympics but it is time for us to look forward. We are sure of making it to the Olympics and are really working hard for it,” added Rajpal.

Commenting on their new style of play, Sandeep Singh said,“ We are practicing here for last couple of days and are playing much faster hockey and attacking hockey as compared to what we have portrayed in the past. We are really looking forward to the qualifiers to showcase some good performance. It is going to be tough qualifiers but we are ready to compete with anybody.”

“Players getting benefit from the fitness camp, David John being a trainer has done a great job, and it’s because of him players fitness has doubled,” added the star defender.

Sandeep’s view was echoed by goalkeeper Bharat Chetri who said, “We are playing attacking hockey and one advantage of attacking hockey is that it will help us in making more goals.”

By Rajorshi Moitra

Indian Sports News

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