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Former Indian hockey captain Balbir Singh Sr. gave his views on one of the most controversial topics in India’s recent hockey history – Hockey India’s mismanagement of Indian hockey team coaches. He expressed his displeasure at the way the coaches of the national team are changed frequently.
One of the most decorated Olympians in Indian history, Balbir Singh Sr. has also coached the national side and under his guidance, the team went on to lift the 1975 World Cup – India’s only till date. So, there are few, if any, who would have a more educated say on the matter.
The 90-year-old told PTI, “If we change coaches this frequently, then something apparently is wrong with our system. It reflects poorly on us and it would definitely affect the on-field performance of the Indian national team.”
“We should treat our coach with due respect”
On the day when former Indian captain Dhanraj Pillay mentioned that the national team needs an Indian coach, the 3-time Olympic gold medallist went to basics saying the coaches need to be treated with respect, irrespective of their nationality.
“If we do not appoint an Indian coach and invite a foreign coach, then we should treat him with due respect. We should give that person adequate opportunities, because his own reputation is equally involved,” he opined in the same interview.
He mentioned a simple solution to the clouded situation between Paul van Ass and Hockey India President Dr. Narinder Batra. The Dutchman claims he has been sacked, whereas the HI President is adamant that the ruling body and SAI have not taken a decision on the matter.
“The team still has one year to go to the Olympics. As per the President of HI, Van Ass is still the coach and should be encouraged to come back and take charge of his wards to ensure continuity from now till the Rio Olympics,” the Olympian advised.
He was, however, extremely dissapointed at Batra’s behaviour during the Hockey World League semis, when he barged on the field after India’s narrow 3-2 win over Malaysia, telling the players to up their game. The situation led to Van Ass telling Batra that he has “no authority on the pitch” which led to the frosty relationship between the two. Van Ass’ views are something the former coach endorsed.
“During a tournament, the administrator has no role to play in the technical aspect of the game,” Tribune India reported him as saying.
Balbir Singh draws parallels with 1975 World Cup
This stand-off between a coach and an official is nothing new to the legendary hockey player, who is 1 of 16 Olympians throughout the history of the Games to be honoured at the Olympic musuem exhibition at the 2012 London Olympics.
In the 1970s, Indian hockey was bearing the brunt of a power struggle among the authorities and the state of the sport in India was deteriorating. Before the 1975 World Cup, Balbir Singh Sr. and his wife, Sushil, were due to travel to the United States as a Chief Guest for a tournament.
However, their leave was cancelled by the Punjab Government who asked Balbir to take charge of the Indian hockey camp after the former Indian hockey captain had, in a private conversation with Punjab Education Secretary, Kanwaljit Bains claimed, “If I were given sole charge of training the national team, India would give much better display in International tournaments”.
The man who holds the record for the most number of goals in an Olympic final (5), took on the responsibility of coaching the national team under a simple condition – No outside interference in training and final selection of the team. India, as Balbir had prophesised, went on to win the tournament.
He coaxed the current Indian squad to take inspiration from the country’s 1975 World Cup campaign and ignore the drama behind the scenes. He had this positive message for the team:
“The same sort of situation was there in 1975, but our combined efforts and persistent hard work won us the World Cup. My best wishes are always there for each and every member of the squad. All I will tell them is work hard (for each other), think positive, ‘The spot at the top is always vacant’.
“What the mind can conceive, your brain can believe and you can achieve. Set specific and clear goals. Commit to them and focus on achieving them. Leave the rest of the clutter and drama aside.”
- Balbir Singh Sr.
Modern Indian hockey needs a Balbir Singh Sr. to repeat the exploits of 1975 so India can re-claim its rightful spot at the top of the hockey world.
