IHF pulls the right chord

Announcing the team here, IHF president K.P.S. Gill said he was hopeful of a good showing in Holland. “We had a good year in 2003, though 2004 was not that good. Now after Azlan Shah tourney, this is going to be the second tournament for our team.

“I am confident that we will do well,” said the IHF chief accompanied by federation secretary K. Jyothikumaran and selectors Aslam Sher Khan, Ajit Pal Singh and B.P. Govinda.

However, junior players Raghunath and Navpreet Singh were not included in the team. “Both of them are very talented, but they need some time to work on their game before being picked for the national side,” Gill reasoned on their exclusion.

Both Kanwalpreet and Gagan Ajit, who also served bans for indiscipline, heaved sigh of relief after making it to the Indian team after a year. “Relieved..That’s how I can describe my feelings right now,” said Gagan Ajit, who was dropped from the Indian squad after the Athens Olympics.

On the other hand, Kanwalpreet and Bimal, who were shunted out before Athens Olympics, too looked relaxed. “I did my best in the camp — be it in physical tests and skill training sessions. I hope to carry on with the good work,” said Kanwalpreet whose two-year ban for attacking Deepak Thakur in March was cut short by IHF in June.

Coach Rajinder Singh (Jr) was also satisfied with the team composition. “Yes, the selectors did a good job,”

he said.

Now, it’s back to the drawing board for the coach, who would now work on finalising tactics and strategies for the Holland meet in which eight best teams of the world including the world champions Germany, Olympic Champions Australia, hosts Holland, Pakistan and South Korea would clash for top honours.

TEAM

Devesh Chauhan (IOC), Bharath Chetri (Karnataka), Dilip Tirkey (Indian Airlines), Kanwalpreet Singh (Punjab Police), Harpal Singh (Namdhari), Viren Rasquinha (IOC), Ignace Tirkey (Services), Arjun Hallappa (Indian Airlines), Bimal Lakra (Indian Airlines), Jaswinder Singh (IOC), Prabhdeep Singh (BPCL), Deepak Thakur (IOC), Gagan Ajit Singh (Punjab Police), Prabhjot Singh (IOC), Rajpal Singh (IOC), Ravipal Singh (PSB), Didar Singh (Namdhari), Devinderpal Singh (PSB).

Coaches: Rajinder Singh Jr (PSB), Narinder Pal Singh (Hyderabad). Goalkeeping coach: Romeo James (BPCL). Trainer: Sampath Kumar. Manager: J.P.S. Sidhu.