IHF draws up heavy schedule

NEW DELHI, OCT 6: Rather than brood over the team's disappointing performance at the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, the Indian Hocke...

NEW DELHI, OCT 6: Rather than brood over the team8217;s disappointing performance at the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, the Indian Hockey Federation IHF has worked out a busy international calendar in its run-up for the Bangkok Asian Games in December. If all goes well the 36 probables will play at least 15 matches in two international tournament and two Test series, and all in month of November.

The IHF president KPS Gill while saying it was imperative to give the players maximum international exposure, expressed hope that the matches 8220;will help in opening up options for Indian hockeyquot;. 8220;Several youngsters will get the chance to play at the highest level, giving our coaches a wider pool to pick the Asian Games team from,8221; Gill told The Indian Express today.

Gill said that the federation has accepted invitations for the pre-Asian Games tournament 8212; either a four or a five-nation event 8212; to be held in Bangkok from November 1-7 as also for the six-nation tournament to be held in Cairo, Egypt fromNovember 13-20. In between, the Indians will be hosting neighbours Sri Lanka for a three-Test series at home between November 9-15. The federation has also agreed to play a four-Test series against Malaysia in the last week of November, though the dates have yet to be finalised.

Gill allayed apprehensions about a possible burn-out8217; of the players due to such a hectic schedule, saying that the camps would not be affected and that the probables would be rotated judiciously so as to give ample rest to the key8217; players. 8220;We will not compromise on fitness,8221; Gill added however.

While the one-week debriefing8217; camp for the 25 Asian Games probables has already commenced at the Sports Authority of India Centre, Bangalore, the main coaching camp for the 36 probables will begin on October 22 and continue till December 3. The players for the various international meets in November will be picked from the camp on the coaches8217; advice.

Meanwhile Gill while expressing surprise at England8217;s pull-out from ChampionsTrophy to be held in Lahore from October 31, said the IHF would 8220;react positively if invited for the tournament8221;. But that is a situation that can arise only if some other teams pull out, since India finished ninth at the World Cup in Utrecht.

South Korea, which finished seventh at the World Cup has already been taken in as a replacement for England.

Story continues below this ad

Curiously none of the teams for the Champions Trophy, Australia, The Netherlands, Spain and Germany have confirmed participation.

CAMPS

1. Debriefing camp: October 5-12, SAI Centre Bangalore.

2. Main coaching camp: October 22-December 3: SAI Centre Bangalore

INTERNATIONAL CALENDAR

1. Pre-Asian Games, Bangkok: November 1-7

2. Three-Test series against Sri Lanka: November 9-15

3. Six-nation tournament, Cairo Egypt: November 13-20

4. Four-Test series against Malaysia: November end dates to be finalised