Dhanraj strikes gold once again

PUNE, Dec 25: If one door closes, another opens automatically. This old saying seems to fit well into hockey captain Dhanraj Pillay's sch...

PUNE, Dec 25: If one door closes, another opens automatically. This old saying seems to fit well into hockey captain Dhanraj Pillay8217;s scheme of things. For Pillay, the door has already been thrown open. The ace forward will soon be joining the Tata Sports Club, where his former colleague Gavin Ferreira has found the job, according to Robert Lawrence of the Tatas, at New Delhi today.

The Tatas, who have been sponsoring the team before it embarked on a golden voyage to Bangkok, have pledged to continue its support to the Indian Hockey Federation IHF. And, as a step toward furthering this cause, they are said to have offered Pillay to join them.

Besides, the Tatas are proposing a full-fledged hockey academy 8220;soon8221; and would also be looking for a coach in due course before the academy takes full shape some time early next year. Lawrence did not, however, elaborate on the plans but confirmed that they have already inducted, besides Ferreira a few promising juniors into the club.

Talking to ENS, K Jothi Kumaran, secretary general of the Indian Hockey Federation IHF, confirmed the Tatas8217; offer to Dhanraj. The IHF also seems to have played its role in helping Dhanraj strike the deal, particularly after his present employers Mahindras have closed hockey activity, which threatened an uncertain future for the Pune-based forward.

The IHF secretary also said that after a well-deserved rest, the team members will reassemble next month in Chennai for a month-long camp before the India-Pak hockey Tests. During the camp, the IHF will also fulfill its promise of taking the team members to Tirupati to offer prayers. 8220;In fact, Dhanraj and others wanted to go straightaway to Tirupati but because of the felicitation functions, we had to defer it,8221; said Jothi Kumaran. 8220;However, we went to the Balaji temple at R.K. Puram and offered prayers,8221; he added.

Jothi Kumaran said that the IHF will be chalking out various tour and training programmes, including finalising the itinerary for the seniors and juniors in the next couple of months.

8220;As of now, we have accepted an invitation from South Africa to play five Tests8217; in August. We are also trying to fix some with other European nations either before or after,8221; he said.

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On MK Kaushik8217;s displeasure, the secretary said that the IHF was very much for his continuance as the national coach. 8220;We are for continuity of a winning combination. He Kaushik has a free hand and we don8217;t tread into his path. After all, it is his duty to make the team perform and he has shown results,8221; said Jothi Kumaran.

As a parting note, the IHF secretary said that the coach has already been spoken to by president KPS Gill, which indicates that things are well under control, at least for the moment.