IHF should recall goalkeeper Ballal if he is fit — Pargat

Q: You attended the Alexandria (Egypt) meeting of the FIH as a member of the Rules Advisory Panel (RAP). There is still some confusion regarding the new rules, especially the five-yard dotted line outside the circle. What is the status now?
A: Changes in the penalty corner rules will only take place after the Sydney Olympics. In fact, FIH’s Rules Board has made the dotted line mandatory for all matches now. But till Sydney, that line will serve only as a guide for the technical officials, including umpires. Players and spectatorswill also get familiarised with it. After Sydney, the new experimental rule — whereby the penalty corner push will have to be stopped outside and within the dotted line — will come into play.

Q: But the new rule will make drag-flick terrors like Pakistan’s Suhail Abbas toothless. Pakistan’s Islauddin Siddiqui is also a member of the RAP. What were his reactions to the new rule?
A: He was obviously not very happy, but other members convinced him that it was in the interest of the game.

Q: What about the concept of the `penalty attack’ where in a one-to-one situation, a player — starting from the 25-yard line — takes on the goalkeeper? How did the FIH react to it?
A: It will take some more convincing. As of now, it’s in abeyance. But I’m hopeful it will be introduced in the years to come.

Q: As a former captain and coach of the national team, how do you rate the current side and its performances after the Asian Games?
A: It is not as bad as has been projected by themedia. In fact, the 25-30 players shortlisted for Sydney are the best we have, barring one or two. Yes, goalkeeping seems to be a cause for concern. But the problem lies more in the morale of the team, which took a beating after top six players were dropped early this year.

Q: Dhanraj Pillay has been recalled. Do you think goalkeeper Ashish Ballal can still make a difference?
A: Yes. If Ballal is fit, the IHF should recall him. The IHF President should be forgiving and put unsavoury issues on the backburner till Sydney. Officials should realise that we do not have replacements for some of those dropped.

Q: What are your plans? How would you like to contribute to Indian hockey?
A: As I said, we do not have a proper second string. Which is why I have decided to open academies in Punjab to promote talent and help them reach international level. I plan to have academies at different centres and in three age categories: Under-10, under-14 and under-16, for I realise that most of theacademies like the Punjab and Sind Bank Academy or the Air-India National Academy cater to players in the under-18 group. I feel, there is not much a coach can do after a player is 18; you have to start much earlier.

Q: Where is the money coming from? As it is there are few takers for hockey these days?
A: I have talked to some corporate houses and the response has been positive. Besides, the academies will be run on a day-boarding concept which will help reduce costs. The players can train there after school and then go home.

Q: What about coaches and other technical help?
A: I plan to have some foreign experts as consultants. I have already had talks with Richard Agiss (Australia), Shiv Jagde (Canada) and Floris Bovelander (Netherlands). As for day-to-day coaching, I’m looking for Indian coaches on contract and will also need the services of a foreign physical trainer.

Q: Which cities/towns have you targetted?
A: Jalandhar, Amritsar, Ferozpur, Ludhianana andRopar.

Q: You also introduced India’s first hockey magazine Inside Hockey to Indian readers, but the response was poor. Do you see any future for such magazines?
A: Inside Hockey is very close to my heart and I’m trying to revive it. It is difficult to sustain it without the help of advertisements, but I have learnt from my mistakes.