Former Indian defender Lazarus Barla has demanded the dismissal of Rajinder Singh, saying the chief coach is not competent enough to head the national team.Speaking to The Indian Express, Barla, who played over 150 internationals, said Rajinder has done more harm to Indian hockey than good. ‘‘He is not the right man for the job. Particularly in the Olympic year. We need a coach of competence, ability and imagination. Rajinder is a mediocre coach with loads of ego problems. The IHF should do away with him immediately if India were to have chance in Athens,’’ Barla said.According to Barla, the problem surrounding Dhanraj Pillay’s selection is an offshoot of a clash of egos between the two and for this the coach was to blame. ‘‘The coach cannot tolerate any dissent and difference of view in the team. And he has the habit of promoting a set of players. Evidently, he never wanted Dhanraj in the team because the veteran striker is too good a player for his ego. Others like Baljit Dhillon, Baljit Saini and Sameer Dad have had trouble under Rajinder.’’Barla was also sceptical about the success of the team in Athens. ‘‘Now he is forced to include Pillay. But I doubt if the team can gel well in an uneasy dressing room.’’
