Employed players lack commitment, says coach

Popularly known as Babu, the 49-year-old feels that unless Indian players play at a professional level, they can never be world beaters.

But Babu is satisfied with the performances of the present Indian team. 8220;We finished sixth at the Commonwealth Games last year, like the much-hyped Indian hockey team which also ended up in the same position.

8220;I think Indian women are doing alright,8221; adds the veteran, who had represented India for 12 long years.

Babu feels the lack of players with good height is also a factor why India are lagging behind. 8220;Our women are not tall and this is a big hurdle. We try our best to take as many tall players as possible, but to be frank, there are not many,8221; observed Babu, who has been Indian women8217;s coach for last seven years.

The coach also laments the lack of interest in the girls to aim higher and play for the country.

8220;Once our women get jobs in railways or other institutions, they lose interest in the game and don8217;t put in much effort or show the commitment to improve to play for India,8221; he added.

Even the coaches themselves lack commitment. 8220;Some of them in the Railways are more interested in doing better in inter-railway events or nationals. They don8217;t do enough to goad their players into excelling. Most of them are a satisfied lot,8221; he pointed.

Babu feels compared with smaller towns and villages, interest in the game is far less in the Metros and that is also a reason why better players were not emerging. 8220;In small cities, girls start at a very late age, so by the time they bloom as a good player, they are old. But in Metros, where women can have an early start, they aren8217;t interested in the game.8221;

The man who had represented India in the 1982 Asian Games finally says what all other sports in India complain about: lack of financial support from the government.

8220;The Government only funds the organising of three to four month-long camps before major championships.

8220;There they take care of lodging and boarding, but even after all this training and playing for India, a player gets absolutely no monetary benefit from the government.8221;