Balbir Singh Sr plots roadmap to success for Indian hockey
The iconic centre forward, who won gold medals at the 1948 (London), 1952 (Helsinki) and 1956 (Melbourne) Olympics, said it was imperative for India to quickly put a revival plan in place to raise the standard of hockey which is "very bad and disappointing" at the moment.
- Press Trust of India
- Updated: November 29, 2013 01:25 PM IST
Pained by the steady decline of Indian hockey over the years, the legendary Balbir Singh Sr has drawn up a roadmap, which includes an innovative three-tier league, to help the country regain lost glory.
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The iconic centre-forward, who won gold medals at the 1948 (London), 1952 (Helsinki) and 1956 (Melbourne) Olympics, said it was imperative for India to quickly put a revival planin place to raise the standard of hockey which is "very badand disappointing" at the moment.
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Balbir reckons that factional tension, lack of trained coaches at the grassroot level and absence of systematicnational league were three primary concerns for Indian hockeyat the moment.
"I have prepared a scheme of a national hockey league. We should hold it once a year and finish it within a month," Balbir Sr said during an interaction with PTI journalists
today.
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Elaborating on his well-structured plan, he said it was a three-tier league like most of the top soccer leagues acrossvarious countries.
"Instead of conducting national championship, we can have a national league with atleast 30 teams dividing them intothree divisions as per their merit. It will be like rankings1-10 in the top division followed by 11-20 and then 21-30.There should be promotion and relegation. It's not like Punjabplaying Mizoram but well-matched teams pitted against eachother."
Balbir Sr also recommended that good cash incentive should be given according to the performance of the teams.
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"Cash awards should be there at every stage becauseplayers want money and their parents also need financialassistance. Cash awards should be given according to theirstandings, their rankings in the national ranking system", hesaid.
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"The coaches should be paid according to the performance of their respective teams. The states should be given benefitsaccording to their rankings in the national league," Balbir Srsaid.
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Balbir, who will be celebrating his 90th birthday next month, said that he has not yet discussed his action plan withthe HI authorities."I haven't discussed anywhere. They never asked me. Ifthey ask me, I am always available," he said.
The legendary player did not seem too happy with the idea of roping in foreign coaches.
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"There are very good foreign coaches but they are over-qualified for our conditions. We must get our intelligentcoaches, educated ones to train abroad and they should get the
state of the art training. So when they come back, they can continue till they retire," he stated.
Balbir Sr feels that foreign coaches only take fat pay cheques and the output has been very little.
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"Now, foreign coaches come, take salaries and go back.Sorry to say that. If we can get our own coaches trained, getall the training facilities abroad, they can come back, servethe country, then they will feel honoured to have served thecountry. We have talent, our boys are good but we lack intraining and physical fitness. We should be among the top 4-5teams and we deserve to be there."
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The veteran said the continuous feud between two rival factions Hockey India (HI) and Indian Hockey Federation (IHF)also played a part in the decline of hockey.
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"(Firstly) Unfortunately, there are two federations. One is HI and the other is IHF. Because of this division, ourhockey has suffered a lot," Balbir said.
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"The second reason would be lack of trained coaches. We have qualified coaches but these days, a lot of foreigncoaches come and train in their style. We should get ourcoaches trained, so that we can produce many more coaches."
Balbir was also unhappy with the "step-motherly treatment meted out to hockey players".
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"We have given hockey step motherly treatment. Among other sports, No.1 is cricket and it is in the limelight. Theplayers are highly paid and treated like actors."
The third and most important reason, according to him, is the absence of a proper national hockey league where the topplayers will be pitted against each other in competitive
sphere.
Although he is in favour of a separate national league, Balbir is not averse to the idea of cash-rich Hockey IndiaLeague (HIL).
"I have no problems with HIL as any type of league means competitive matches which is very important."
He is pained at the current plight of Indian hockey and the team finishing last in the London Olympics.
"Very bad (about standard). I didn't want to use this word but I feel dejected. I am sad. During London Olympics,they were honouring me for my contribution to Indian hockey. Iwas interviewed by the BBC in London about India's chances. Isaid that I want them to win gold but would be satisfied withtop six finish. And we ended at the bottom without winning asingle match. I was shocked."
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"Balbirs come and Balbirs go but it's the country that stays forever. India comes first. Country is more importantand not Balbirs," he explained.
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The 89-year-old player, who has the dictinction of being the flag bearer of the Indian contingent in two Olympic Games,also urged the corporate sector to back the game which hasgiven India the maximum number of Olympians as well as goldmedals at the quadrennial extravaganza.
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"The corporate sector must also contribute. The central government can't always afford what corporate sectors canafford. I also want youngsters to study hard as academicscan't be ignored at any cost. You need a job in order to earnyour living. Their should also be scholarships introduced inschools to help the outstanding sportspersons."
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"Play as much as you want but not at the cost of your qualification. I want a system to be introduced forsportsperson where they would only get benefits if they areable to pass their exams. We don't want to make professionals
only but we also want to see them as good officers"