I don't believe that frequent sacking of coaches alone, has harmed hockey in
the subcontinent...Apart from political interference, to a great extent, the
use of artificial surfaces and a drastic change in rules, has contributed to
it....Take for example the 'sticks' infringement.... Previously, no player was
allowed to raise his stick above his shoulder to strike the ball....Now when
one watches hockey, the tall, burly players from Europe and Australia raise the
stick and strike the ball with such force, that it is hard to watch!....The
goalkeepers of today, need protection like goaltenders of Ice Hockey!... Many
times, it appears that the players are dragging the ball alonginstead of the
beautiful dribbling, that we used to marvel at....It is now all about power
hockey, instead of the finesse associated with Indianand Pakistani
players....Indian and Pakistani hockey officials remained silent spectators to
the change of rules by the FIH, while they were busy feudingamong themselves or
swindling the money!!!.....
I once met 2 Dutch badminton coaches, at the Campal Indoor stadium. They told
me that the kids in the Netherlands, always played badminton on Hova courtsand
their hockey on astroturf!!!... As for the Indian badminton players, the Hova
courts were laid for them, only when they practiced for international events
and forhockey, we had 1 and a half fields of astroturf, in the entire
country.... Now there might be more...Playing regularly on these artificial
surfaces meant that your leg muscles developed differently, as compared to the
wooden/cement surfaces for badminton and natural grass for hockey...All Indian
investments have been in cricket and football is starting to get some
investment...It remains to be seen whether this new stick helps the players
from the subcontinent or the Europeans!
Naguesh
> Date: Wed, 30 Apr 2014 18:55:09 +0300
> Innovative stick a shot in the arm for Asian style of hockey
> By Armstrong Vaz
>
> Eindhoven, Holland: Indian and Pakistan hockey was always about
> skills but frequent sacking of coaches has done more harm than good
> for the sub-continent teams. The two can regain their lost glory if
> they move with a dedicated approach.
>
>
