Malaysian tour morale-booster says skipper Ritu Rani

Indian hockey is not going through its best phase. The dismal performance of the men’s team at the World Cup, resulting in ninth-place finish, has been another disappointment.

While this put administrators back into the familiar routine of reviewing ‘poor performance’ and making necessary changes, the women’s team has subtly managed to garner some praise after their successful Malaysian tour.

In the six-match series against the hosts as a build-up for the Commonwealth Games, the Indian girls swept home all the matches with comprehensive margins.

“The Malaysian tour was great for the team. We were consistent in all the matches. Every player did what was expected of her. The clean sweep has given us a lot of confidence,” skipper Ritu Rani told Mail Today on Saturday.

With the Commonwealth Games starting next month, the series win comes as much needed morale boost for the team. In fact, the preparation for the Glasgow Games as well as the Incheon Asiad began gathered speed earlier this year when they played a three-match series against Ireland and the FIH Champions Challenge in Scotland.

“The preparation for the CWG is good. We had at least three tours prior to the event. We won the series against Ireland. Though we lost all our matches at the Champions Challenge I, the Malaysian tour was a big success. So, the exposure has been good,” Ritu said.

Despite training under Australian coach Neil Hawgood for the last two years, the team has not been able to compete on equal terms with the better teams in the world. Ritu, however, denies any coaching concerns.     

“Every coach has a different approach to the game. Neil is relatively new and his coaching style is different from our previous coaches. We have spent two years with him. It takes time to get used to a different style of play.”

India women have a decent record at the Commonwealth Games, winning a gold in Manchester (2002) and silver in Melbourne (2006). This time, they are placed in a comparatively easy group with South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, Canada and New Zealand, two of whom are ranked below India.

“I will not say that the draw is easy. At the last edition, we crashed before the semi-finals on goal difference. So, the lower-ranked teams are not to be taken lightly. In fact, we will not leave anything to chance and try to score more goals in every match.”

Eyeing a medal this year, Ritu is looking at 2002 as inspiration.

“Reaching the final is the target. We are aiming for a medal. It has been a long wait. We won a gold medal in 2002 and silver in 2006. 2010 was unfortunate. We will look at the previous victories as inspiration and try to get on the podium.”

(Story written for Mail Today)

Danish:I have left my injury behind, moving ahead

Injury is the worst enemy of players. A serious one might even mark end of career for many. Last year, when the Indian team went for a practice session to Europe ahead of World hockey League, Rotterdam, young Indian player Danish Mujtaba suffered a ligament injury. It led to a surgery in a local Delhi hospital and complete bed rest. After months of rehab and pain, the Allahabadi boy has finally left all that behind and has made his way in the World Cup core probable list. In a tete-e-tete with http://www.stick2hockey.com Danish talks about the camp, injury and how it feels to make a comeback.

You are in the camp after one year. How is the camp going for you?
It is great to be back in the camp. I feel like I am debuting again. I was away from the national side for almost a year. It was a challenge to make a comeback post-injury. I am glad I did it.

A lot of players miss to make a comeback post-injury. How did you cope up with the phase?
Surgery was crucial for my injury. The doctors had said that without surgery, I might not be able to play again. Post-surgery, I was advised bed rest for a month. It was a tough phase. My parents had come from Allahabad to Delhi and were by my side throughout. Also, my cousin and physical trainer Ahmad Nasir, who also assists tennis player Yuki Bhamri, helped me with my physiotherapy sessions. After months of rehab, the injury healed.

Mental strength is very important in such situations. Did this injury deter your confidence?
I just had one thing on my mind- I will play again for my country. I kept on concentrating on my goal which helped me remain confident. Also, my teammates and elder brother Hamza Mujtaba, also a hockey player kept motivating me.

You returned after a long spell and played for Delhi Waveriders in Hockey India League. But, you missed playing all matches and came on and off the field. Are you completely fit now?
I played Hockey India League after a long spell. It took me some time to get back to my form and play my usual game. By the end of it, I was back and there is no problem at all now.

Were you continuously following the team’s matches during your injury period?
Absolutely. It was important to remain updated about all matches. I have seen every match during that phase. In fact, during the World Hockey League finals at Delhi, I made it to the stands of National Stadium to watch the match live.

We have always seen you play with your team. How was the experience to watch them play from the stands?
Honestly, it was a bit of both. I felt proud when the crowd roared in cheer for our team. But, when we would miss a goal or lose the ball, they would hurl expletives.

Now, that the injury is past, are you confident of your future?
I have left injury behind and moved ahead. I hope to make it back to the team now.

Article published in http://www.stick2hockey.com

From Playground to Politics

 

By Tazeen Qureshy

Smashing hits, stylish catches, superb tackling, and splendid defense- sportspersons known for their sheer brilliance on field are set to leave all that behind and begin a new innings altogether. It is election year and a handful of fresh candidates include some of the most known faces in the sporting arena.

With the general elections fast approaching, all eyes will be on sports stars who after creating a niche on field, will look to turn people’s vote in their favor. One such candidate is cricketer known for his brilliant fielding-Mohammad Kaif. Kaif has been handed a Congress ticket from Phulpur constituency. With no prior experience in elections, he will look to garner support from the people based on his cricketing tenure. This election will also feature India’s most famous footballer, striker Baichung Bhutia who is contesting from Darjeeling constituency with Trinamool Congress ticket.

Another name in the fray is of Olympic silver medalist Rajyawardhan Singh Rathore who joined BJP last year. Meanwhile, Aam Admi Party which has been the talk of the town and created a new wave of politics in the country has attracted former hockey captain Dhanraj Pillay who joined the party last month and will be campaigning for them throughout the country.

The history of sports people joining politics started long back when the captain of 1928 Amsterdam Olympic Hockey team, Jaipal Singh Munda joined politics and became the first sportsperson to do so. Ever since, the list has kept on increasing and mostly cricketers dominate the list. Today, the list boasts of big names including the likes of Kirti Azad, Aslam Sher Khan, Navjot Singh Sidhu, Mohammad Azharuddin and the legend himself-Sachin Tendulkar who was nominated as the member of Rajya Sabha in 2012.

The story of Odisha is no exception. While, Ranjib Biswal, the ‘lucky team manager’ of the Indian cricket team has been performing satisfactorily in politics having won his first election at mere 25 years of age, he has also lost twice. However, the biggest name in the state sporting ring is of three-time Olympian and one of the world’s best defender Padmashree Dilip Tirkey who has been handed a Lok Sabha ticket from BJD. Although, the former Indian captain is already a member of the Upper House since 2012, he was offered Lok Sabha ticket last month.

Also in the fray is former state hockey play Gregory Minz from Rajgangpur, on a Congress ticket.

So, can all these sports stars turned politicians churn out a new history for themselves and the sporting fraternity? Only time will tell.

Tazeen Qureshy is that lone woman’s voice that triumphs through the hullabaloo of the sports arena. Trying to find her feet as a sports journalist in a traditionally male bastion, this final year Convergent Journalism student of prestigious Jamia Milia Islamia has already made a name for herself in covering prestigious national and international Hockey and F1 events. A fiery speaker, an intrepid NCC cadet, Tazeen has agreed to write on all aspects of sports in Odisha.

 

Article published on http://www.odishareporter.in

Affan: I hope to make it to the World Cup squad

Bhopal lad Affan Yousuf, son of former international player, Md.Yousuf, is not exactly the new kid in the hockey town having established his name in the national team already. However, the whimsical way he has been omitted from the squads raised many eyebrows, like not seeing him in the Junior World Cup. Since then he has been under constant focus with added demand from the public for his inclusion in the national team. He had a wonderful and highly successful Hockey India League campaign, and with that Affan Yousuf was again drafted into the core group of probable of forthcoming senior World Cup. Our writer Tazeen Qureshy, caught Affan open up his mind on the eve of him joining the camp to be held in Delhi this week.

Congratulations on making it to the probables list. What are your expectations from this camp? 
“My focus will be to perform better and make it to the World Cup squad. We have almost two months for preparation. Although we have teams like Australia in our pool, but we have faced top teams earlier in World Hockey League also. So, we have a fair idea about their style of play.” 

You made your debut in Hockey India League this year with the Punjab Warriors. Share your experience of the journey. 
“The experience was good. Playing alongside players like Jaap Stockmann and Jamie Dwyer is a big thing. It was a great learning experience for me.” 

Punjab had a dream run in this edition. It made it to the finals and you had a major role to play. Are you satisfied with your performance? 
“It was a team effort. Every single player played his part. For me, HIL was satisfying. But, there is always a scope for improvement.” 

You played with the likes of Jamie Dwyer and other foreign players. Was it easy to gel with them? 
“Jamie and all other players have been very supportive. We interacted on various aspects of the game. All of them motivated a lot. Even if we committed mistakes, our captain Jamie would explain us rather than shout and get angry.” 

In HIL, you looked matured and confident. You often single-handedly ventured into the rival D, dodged some of the best defenders and created benefits for your team. Has this league added a lot in you as a player? 
“Initially, I was nervous, but after 2 matches, I got a fair idea about the game, the combinations and attacks. That helped me improve my game and yes, I was more confident after that.” 

HIL is known to give instant name and fame to young players. Last year, it was Mandeep Singh and Manpreet Singh who came into the limelight overnight. Do you anticipate this edition to be a turning point for you? 
“I hope it becomes a turning point for me.” 

You were not selected in the main team for the Junior World Cup last year. Do you believe your performance in HIL will silence your critics? 
“I am not thinking on those lines. If I was criticized, they would have seen some mistakes in my game. That is not my concern. I just want to play and work hard. Results will follow.” 

Which is your favorite match in HIL? 
“Both the semifinal against Ranchi and final against Delhi were good.” 

What is your next target? 
“I hope to make it to the World Cup squad.”

Maharashtra and Gangpur in the semis of Nationals (3/5/2014)

Hockey Maharashtra and Hockey Gangpur-Odisha in the semis of the Division Two National Championships

After playing five matches, Hockey Maharashtra and Hockey Gangpur Odisha have made it to the semifinals of the National Championship being held at Lucknow. While Hockey Maharashtra has bagged 11 points after winning 3 matches and drawing two, Hockey Gangpur-Odisha is leading the table in Pool C with 15 points after winning all the five matches they played.

Hockey Gangpur Odisha has won all the matches with a margin of 4 goals and more and Maharashtra bounced back after drawing their first two matches against Chhattisgarh Hockey and Hockey Delhi.

Meanwhile, in the matches played today, Bengal won against Assam 3-0 in Pool C. In Pool D, Central Reserve Police Force defeated Vidarbha Hockey Association 4-0 and Hockey Delhi drew against Maharashtra 3-3.

Results:-

Pool C- Bengal 3 Sunil Shah (12 min) Rakesh Burman (61 min) and Sunil Kujur (64 min) vs Assam 0.

Pool D Central Reserve Police Force 4 Rohensingh Thangjam (4thmin), Prashnt Tirkey (6th min), Simon Tirkey (16th min) and Nemhas Khkha (46th min) vs. Vidarbha Hockey Association 0.

Pool D- Hockey Maharashtra 3 Navneet Swarnkar (2nd & 30th min) and Vishal Pillay (42nd min) Delhi 3 Abhishek (38th & 45th min) and Meet Singh (47th min).