MHAL forms advisory panel

Rasquinha said he wanted to join the advisory board in order to give back something to Mumbai hockey and bemoaned the fall in standards of the game in this city. “I came here to play matches as a school kid so it’s a very special place for me. But over the years,we have witnessed a steady decline and it’s time we improve the standards. We want to stop all the controversy that has marred MHAL over the years and focus on the game,” Rasquinha,who is also the COO of Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ),said. “The committee will look towards spotting new talent and guiding them to improve their game. It is our objective to make available superior talent who will bring glory to India,” he added.

One of the great players city has produced,Rasquinha was a part of the team that won the junior World Cup in 2001. This is his first foray in hockey administration but he categorically ruled out working at the national level. “I have no ambitions of joining Hockey India as of now. I will focus only on improving hockey in Mumbai and continue my work with OGQ,” he said.

Aldrin is the only member in the committee who is not from Mumbai. However,the Banglorean has played a lot of hockey in Mumbai during his time with Air India and said he felt responsible to give something back to the city. “I was hurt with the fall in standard of Mumbai hockey. I have been a great admirer (of the sport in Mumbai) and that is one of the reasons I joined Air India,who are based from here. I hope all of us can make a difference to Mumbai hockey,” he said.

MHAL president Mangha Singh Bakshi said this is one of many steps they are planning to take to get the sport back on track. “We have made a conscious effort to populate the panel with a young body who understands modern hockey. The panel will be able to give practical advice and other strategic inputs that will help youngsters from Mumbai to represent the national team,” Bakshi said.

MHAL honorary secretary Ram Singh Rathor said the ultimate objective is to regain the lost glory. “For the last eighty years,we’ve witnessed the rise,the domination of India in the sport and the subsequent fall. Our objective is to promote the sport and regain the lost glory once again,besides creating a centre of excellence,” Rathor said.

Sub-junior nationals from April 11

Meanwhile,Eight boys teams,and as many girls outfits,will take part in the under-17 west zone nationals that will be held here from April 11 to 16. The teams are – MP hockey academy,Chhattisgarh Hockey,Hockey Rajasthan,Hockey Bhopal,The Hockey Maharashtra,Goans Hockey,Mumbai Hockey Association and Hockey Gujarat. Rathor informed the Bombay Gold Cup will be held in September or October,depending on the commitments of the national team