Indian hockey former captain Sardar Singh who was forced to quit after a disappointing Asian Games campaign last year has now been included in a 13-member selection committee. The committee will be headed by BP Govinda – a member of the 1975 World Cup winning squad.
Indian hockey former captain Sardar Singh who was forced to quit after a disappointing Asian Games campaign last year has now been included in a 13-member selection committee. The committee will be headed by BP Govinda – a member of the 1975 World Cup winning squad.
“Yes, I was offered the role and I accepted it. It is a new challenge for me and I am always eager to serve Indian hockey in any way I can,” Sardar told PTI on Tuesday. “It’s a completely different challenge and an exciting one. All these years I served as a player now I got the opportunity to serve from the other side of the table.”
“I have been a player for the past two decades and I know what is important for a team. Youth can never replace experience. What I feel is that any good team is a balance of youth and experience. Look at Belgium,” he said.
“As a selector, my approach would be the same. I would always vouch for the experience but at the same time will like to see good youngsters in the team. India needs experienced players like P R Sreejesh, Rupinder Pal Singh and S V Sunil to guide the youngsters till the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.”
Sardar wanted to continue playing till the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. However, post his retirement he has kept himself busy working on numerous personal projects like his upcoming academy in Haryana and also an NGO. He also has a few offers lined up to play in European leagues.
Upon being asked about how he will prioritise his work, the Sardar said, “It won’t be a problem at all. Yes, I am working on a few personal things but serving Indian hockey is always a priority for me.”
Sardar also spoke about Harendra Singh. He said that the sacked coach had played a major role in reviving his career and that the coach wasn’t given enough time to prove his worth with the senior national side.
“I think it was not a wise decision. Harendra (bhai) is one of the best coaches of India. I think we didn’t give him enough time. In the 4-5 tournaments with the senior side, he managed 3 podium finishes for India. I think any coach needs at least 4 years to build a team and get desired results,” Sardar said.
With just Tokyo Olympics just a year-and-a-half away, Sardar said the Indian men’s hockey team is in a no man’s land without a coach.
“We have to go through a difficult Olympic qualifier and any new coach will take at least 5-6 months to get his footing. With a new coach there is always the risk of adapting to a completely new style of hockey,” he said.
“So I think it wasn’t a wise decision. But as players, we don’t have any say. We have to play and adapt to circumstances that we are put through,” he added.
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 "Sardar Singh named in 13-member hockey selection committee")
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