IHF proposes a new `expert’ policy

Lawrence was informed of his appointment on Thursday by a fax message from the IHF. Jothikumaran, while giving the information, explained the IHF rationale in Lawrence’s appointment which has been met with much hue and cry in hockey circles in this city, given that he had never donned India colours.

But the IHF secretary spoke of a new policy mooted for development of the game that aspired to involve people from different regions. “Lawrence has been prominent in his role for Tatas, a leading side in Mumbai and wethought his experience and knowledge could be used for Indian hockey,” Jothikumaran said.

Lawrence, 40, is manager, Public and Corporate Relations, for leading business house Tatas, noted for promoting sport. Having served the Federation Internationale de Hockey (FIH) public relations effort at the 1982 and 1986 World Cups, he has been involved, of late, in absorbing stars of the now defunct Mahindras hockey squad.

After roping in Olympian Gavin Fereira, Tatas are now working on recruiting star centre-forward Dhanraj Pillay and goalkeeper K Sridhar who attended the goalkeepers’ camp at Bangalore recently. Other prospective acquisitions include young India defender Cheops D’Costa.

Lawrence, a former forward who represented Mumbai at the junior nationals at Bhopal in 1975, took to administration with a stress on finance, in his involvement with Tatas’ hockey after he hung his stick in 1987.

But with the need of the hour being grooming the side to the Asian Games in December, Lawrence’s presence at thefour-nation in Bangkok seemed to defy logic — especially with the IHF’s decision to let chief national coach Maharaj Krishnan Kaushik remain at the coaching camp with the rest of the probables.

Jothikumaran, explaining the arrangement, said: “Kaushik, along with his assistants Merwyn Fernandes and M R Negi, has analysed the probables in detail. A couple of points remain, and feedback by Fernandes and Negi, who will guide the team at Bangkok for the four-nation, will help decide the squad for the Asian Games. The nucleus of the side has already been drawn up. The defence, for one, will remain the same.”

“As such, we have decided that Kaushik remains with the rest of the probables at Bangalore and perfects shortcomings — especially penalty corner conversions that needs vast improvement,” Jothikumaran added.

Jothikumaran claimed that a lot of effort was put into the recent camp at Bangalore. “IHF president KPS Gill observed the final trials match at the KSHA Stadium after the venue was moved at thelast moment from Sports Authority of India (SAI) complex on October 28. Gill spent a long time deliberating with the panel of coaches. It will help naming of the final 16 for the Asiad shortly,” the IHF secretary explained.