Hello Keedas, I caught up with Viren Wilfred Rasquinha, former captain of Indian Hockey team recently. Viren is COO at Olympic Gold Quest these days which aims to bridge the gap between India’s best and the world’s best. Olympic Gold Quest is a Non-Profit Foundation which deserves to be supported by every Indian sporting fan. What many of you may not know is that Viren is not only a renowned sportsperson but he has excelled in the field of academics as well. He is a product of the elite Indian School of Business, Hyderabad (Class of 2009). So, read on to check what Viren has to say on Hockey, ISB, Olympic Gold Quest and much more …
Anshu@SportsKeeda – How did you manage to be a School Topper, Captain of Indian Hockey Team as well and now an ISB alumnus! How do you manage to be good at all you try Viren?
Viren Rasquinha – I have always had the determination to do whatever I set out to do very well and I have the ability to switch off and switch on from a young age. When I go out and play, I give my 100 % and when I study I give 100 % as well. When I went back to ISB, it was tough to study again after a break of 8 years but I was prepared mentally to study hard. I learnt from my mistakes and prepared smarter while applying to ISB.
Viren playing for India
Viren, The ISB Graduate
Anshu@SportsKeeda – Why did you quit Hockey at such a young age last year?
Viren Rasquinha – A few reasons … It’s not true that I was frustrated because of system prevailing and politics. I wanted to quit when I was at the top of my game. Exactly like you are asking, everyone asks me why did you quit Viren and not when will you quit! So, I announced my decision post my ISB admission to quit hockey
Anshu@SportsKeeda – Did you ever feel that you should have played on till the 2010 World Cup in India?
Viren Rasquinha – As I said, I always gave my all while I played for India. Once I got ISB admission, I decided to quit playing hockey. I was thinking of doing a MBA right from 2004. It didn’t cross my mind as to whether I should hang on till the 2010 World cup.
Anshu@SportsKeeda – In spite of having world class players such as you, Gagan Ajeet Singh, Jugraj and Dhanraj Pillay, why did Indian Hockey team not win as much as it should have in the recent past?
Viren Rasquinha – I agree, we had a great generation of players and underachieved but the problems in Indian hockey have a very deep back ground for example the standard of domestic hockey is poor. There is lack of proper coaching, wrong technique is taught to youngsters, wrong fitness and diet regime is followed. We need to put it all together and I am optimistic about the future of Indian Hockey. These problems can be resolved.
- Carmel Rink Hockey 2009
Anshu@SportsKeeda – What do you feel about India’s chances at the upcoming World Cup?
Viren Rasquinha – It will be tough to achieve a top 6 finish. We have a tough group as well but with home support we can really do well. The top 4 teams, Holland, Germany, Spain and Australia are really strong but after the top 4, any team can win on its day. So India will have a good chance as well provided they are consistent.
Anshu@SportsKeeda – Which are the moments as a player which you cherish?
Viren Rasquinha – My first match at Athens Olympics, 2004 against Holland as it was always my dream to represent India at the Olympics. It was phenomenal walking out to play for India. Playing against the Pakistan in Chandigarh in the India Pakistan series and winning Asia cup against Pakistan by a 4-2 margin were memorable experiences as well. Also, our victory at the Junior World Cup in Hobart in 2001 a memorable one.
Anshu@SportsKeeda – And which defeats do you consider to be the disappointments of your Hockey career Viren?
Viren Rasquinha – In 2002, 2003, 2004 we consecutively lost close matches to Pakistan in Champions Trophy for third and fourth place playoff. Another huge disappointment was the 3-4 loss to Australian at the Athens Olympics which experts have claimed to be the best match of the tournament for its quality.
Anshu@Sportskeeda – How was your experience at ISB?
Viren Rasquinha – It was one of the best years of my life and a phenomenal learning experience. Initially, I had doubts about whether I could cope up with the intensity of the course but was determined to do well and worked hard at ISB. There were world class professors and the learning from peers was fantastic as well. At the start of the program, I knew no one but by the end of the program I had 440 friends (The ISB Class of 2009 had 440 students)!
- OGQ Signing up Saina Nehwal
Anshu@SportsKeeda – After ISB, you have been associated with Olympic Gold Quest, when did you think of joining OGQ? How is OGQ generating required funding to help sportspersons?
Viren Rasquinha – Geet Sethi and Prakash Padukone approached me once I graduated from ISB. I was scheduled to join a firm in Delhi but I accepted Geet and Prakash’s offer as it was too good to resist. I am happy to be a part of OGQ. Right now the private sector is providing funding as we have strong credibility owing to the stature of our Board of Directors. But for sustained funding, what will matter is performance and professionalism. Only merit counts in the long run.
- Signing up M.C Mary Kom
Anshu@SportsKeeda – OGQ has an interesting concept as in it deals with proven potentials and is working towards improving their Olympic medal chances. Are you happy with the progress at OGQ
Viren Rasquinha – Yes, I am happy with the direction in which OGQ is moving. Some of our bright hopes are Mary Kom, 4 time Boxing World Champion Gagan Narang, our world record holding shooter and of course Saina Nehwal. Mary Kom is 46 kg and will fight in the 48 to 51 kg category (one of the categories for women’s Boxing at 2012 Olympics in London, there is no category below 48 kg). So, she has to fight with people who are around 5 kg more than her in natural weight. Reach also plays a big role in boxing as you know. Since, women’s boxing has become an Olympic Sport, coaches all around the world are analyzing Mary Kom’s game. So these are the kind of challenges OGQ will help her improve upon
- Press Confrence with P.T Usha
Anshu@SportsKeeda – Wonderful, so OGQ has a holistic approach towards training sportspersons. Is that correct?
Viren Rasquinha – Yes, every aspect is looked into including fitness, training and the psychological dimension as well. Everything is planned to improve performance. There is a limit to which raw talent can succeed; you need to have best possible back up. We must keep in mind though that nothing is guaranteed, you might get injured, be out of form on the given day. Our goal is to help good athletes do better!
Anshu@SportsKeeda – Thanks for speaking to SportsKeeda Viren and good luck for the future!
Viren Rasquinha – Thank you.
That’s all Keedas. I hope all of you enjoyed this conversation between Viren and SportsKeeda as much as I did!
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Author: anshuprasad – Hardcore Keeda
I am a sports junkie based in New Delhi. Having recently cracked GMAT, i am looking forward to do my MBA from a premier B-School starting in 2010.
I am an an enduring fan of Test Cricket , Tennis and Field Hockey and sincerely hope that the Indian Hockey team can win the 2010 world cup being held in India.
Playing chess is an interest too so is brand strategizing! Enjoy fellow Keedas 
Has written 5 Articles, posted 59 Comments, 1 Post, has 3 Fans and was thanked 4 Times
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Taking indian Hockey team to be at par with Worlds best !
Good work Viren…Anshu all your questions are up to a good sports writer level…Koodos!
Great interview Anshu! Viren proves it that it possible to excel in every field you try provided you are commited
Kudos to Viren! I am sure OGQ will deliver the goods at London Olympics.
It is notable that OGQ is getting funds from the private sector. I hope help pours in from the Government as well.
Great to know more about Viren. Besties for future Viren Bhai.
The loss to Australia at Athens was really shattering
Thank you Viren for helping gifted ahletes such as Mary Kom and Saina..
Its good to know about an ex indian hockey captain excel at academics as well…
Great job Anshu…. Insightful interview indeed!
great endevour by all such people
hats off guys!!
wud love to see more people doing so n also more interviews
Great going Viren.. I am joining ISB in 2010
I hope to catch you there if you pay a visit !
very gud both of u guys…..gud luck for future….
Great concept, this OGQ! Carry on the good work Viren, I will surely contribute some funding for OGQ.
Regards from Nashville
Great interview Anshu bhaiya
What should i call him ? I m really confused !! Should i call him a great student or great person , Great Leader or Great Player.But one thing i am very clear about this person is that he is true Indian.
I wish Viren ‘All the best’ in all of his endeavors.
And I appreciate Anshu for taking this interview.
Greetings from D.C. Viren. It’s great to see you working with a Non-Profit after doing your MBA from such a prestigious B School. You are showing the path to youngsters truly..
Sometime back there was a coverage of this OGQ initiative and I was thrilled by the concept!
I wish all the best to all the sports, esp. our national game – hockey. Thanks to Viren and his team…
And yes, Anshu your well targetted questions were bang on! Keep it up dear…
Great stuff Viren.. Good to know that you are promoting promising youngsters such as Saina and Gurav and we hope Mary Kom can fetch us a gold medal in London.
Wish luck and success to OGQ , and GOLD’s they will win . Let this decade be the decade of sports in India . Waiting for the day when SportsKeeda would be flooded with articles on medals that India won .
What a wonderful effort by Viren
The way OGQ is helping athletes such as Mary Kom in every respect is laudable.. Keep it up Viren, you rock as a COO!
I am from Karachi and have always enjoyed watching Hockey matches between India and Pakistan. It was sad to see a player of your calibre retire last year. It’s good to see you still involved with sports. Do you feel sports can be used a vehicle for peace between India and Pakistan, Viren?
Great work SportsKeeda team and especially Anshu and Porush, I am sure you can help Viren get more funding and visibility for Olympic Gold Quest.
Hey Viren,
Great to see you on Sportskeeda. I watched your interview on NDTV ealier this year in summer wherein you talked about OGQ.
All the very best for the future
Great job Viren bro..
Great to see Geet Sethi is associated with OGQ as well. You an Geet are the suavest Indian sportmen I have came across as a fan. Keep rocking..
Keeda team,
Kudos to you to sustain d animated spirit towards giving new dimesions to the perception of sports in India. Simply gr88888888.
Viren and his startup are marvelous. This is a role model thing which has to be for sure implemented big time across all sports in india.
keep up the good work Viren……we are proud of you…
@ Anshu……well done……:)
Great work Viren….Proud of you…And hope hockey would be a part of the OGQ fold very soon.
And to all Viren Fans…Post your feedback about OGQ here feedback@olympicgoldquest.com and be assured about Viren’s reply…
Koti koti naman hai Viren … Bharat maa ke sacche sapoot ho tum.. Kansya padak se kaam nahi chalega.. humein swarn padak chaihye London mein.
Man i wonder why he is not popular ! I am going to make an emailer about OGQ and send it to all my friends. Maybe it will get viral and reach everyone in India.
My contribution to Indian Sports .
cheers and All the best Viren
He is not the sort of person to go after popularity Mohit, I have yet to come across a sporting celebrity with such humility. He is a MARGDARSHAK for the youth. What do you say? I don’t feel doing advertisements is a measure of popoularity in any manner.
Not adverisments but our media fail to inform us about these good non profitable organisations who are sticking there neck out for a good cause. So if media does not help we can do our bit by using social media to promote them.
And Popularity never hurts anybody . I have sent the email hehe
Yes, that’s true, Olympic Gold Quest needs more support from thetraditional media as well. I am happy that Sportskeeda is bringing to the front such excellent work being done in the field of Indian sports. Social media is really cathcing on in India now big time it seems. Here in London, it is already big Mohit.
Well done Viren and OGQ..
I watched Geet’s interview on News X , OGQ is really a wonderful initiative. Let’s all support it and provide adequate funding as well.
Gret interview bro, yea i did follow da hockey matches in 2003 n 4 wherein India lost to Pak in close games
I hope we can thrash them in the upcoming world cup.
Good stuff Viren, and it is nice to see your ISB education was helpful in making you a better Leader. All the best for the future mate!
My best wishes to Viren and sportskeeda. It is enthus like them who are out there doing something instead of sitting and hoping someone would come and rescue the Indian sports scenario.
Its very hard to leave the comfy corer and pursue the dreams this people have given shape. So kudos and all da very best Olympic Gold Quest and Sportskeeda.
Dear Sports Keeda,
Great interview!! Viren congrats for all your achievements so far! am sure many more bigger ones are definitely gonna be coming your way.
But i wish that the biggest of all would definitely be to lead India to Olympic Hockey gold once again!!
And i trust you are the best qualified in the country to do that
Great job Porush, Robin and Anshu, you are getting great sportspersons such as Viren to the fore. I will surely contribute to OGQ and encourage others as well after reading this interview.
Keep it up Viren and Sportskeeda
Great stuff Viren, keep up the good work
I want India to win double digit medals soon as OGQ is a welcome move in that direction.
Excellent interview ! … Viren i have been reading about OGQ in the news… keep up the good jobs and sign two three guys from the army