In Chennai hockey camp, India hope on ‘foreign’ funda

Enjoying the rainy November in Chennai are 25 probables vying for a place in India’s side for the Champions Trophy that kicks off on December 8. Among them are six players who, like Vinaya, have just returned after sweating it out for foreign clubs. Coach Clarence Lobo, says: “Exposure to the highly competitive European hockey leagues has given them a new kind of confidence.”

Stalwarts Dilip Tirkey and Gagan Ajit Singh turned out for top Dutch club Klein Zwitzerland in the last season of the Dutch league. Juniors like Punjab’s Sandeep Singh (a drag flick exponent), Chennai’s V. Raja and Benares’ Nitin Kumar (both midfielders) were playing for Dutch Club Eindhoven.

Vinaya says his baggage from Barcelona carried an extra shot of zeal. “Doubling up as coach made a huge difference. The kids, a sprightly lot, actually taught me a lot. Their dedication and eagerness to implement every lesson learnt was refreshing.”

He says it’s natural for players to trail a bit from their brief. “But those kids stuck to it as though it was a diktat,” the 21-year-old Indian Airlines employee recalls.

Vinaya’s stint at the Spanish club followed a string of brilliant performances at the Junior World Cup in Amstelveen. Spanish team member Pepe Borrell, who’s father is president of the Real Club de Polo de Barcelona, was so impressed by his skills that he convinced his father to take on Vinaya.

Tirkey and Sandeep Singh haven’t arrived in Chennai yet, but Gagan Ajit Singh arrived last morning (though he didn’t train). Raja, Nitin and Vinaya are already sharing tips from their Europe sojourn. “Yeh main Holland se seekh ke ayaa, dekh (Look, I picked this up in Holland),” brags Nitin to Prabodh Tirkey, who’s still battling a niggling groin injury, and William Xalxo who is nursing a swollen thumb. He displays a neat juggle with his stick, ending with a flourish.

With Pakistan, Holland, Germany, Spain and Australia arriving soon for the Champions’ Trophy, attempting to comprehend their tricks is an important pastime in Chennai right now.

“Holland’s domestic structure is very strong,” says Gagan Ajit Singh, adding that each match is tough and there’s never any chance to take a fixture lightly. “Also, they have great infrastructure. My club alone has six turfs,” points out the 25-year-old deputy superintendent of police posted in Mohali.

Benares Hindu University product Nitin Kumar says he’s in awe of the Europeans’ work ethics. “They don’t train aimlessly,” he says. “They always have a certain objective in mind. Also, they don’t train every day. Four-times a week is enough.”

He calls his practice sessions there “clinical”. Everyone has a brief and no one deviates, he adds, describing what he believes is the biggest difference between “them” and “us”. “We have a rich tradition in artistry, but work ethics can really be improved,” the 21-year-old linkman insists. The others nod in agreement.