It’s even for all teams in hockey

The competitors who have been striving towards Olympic glory have the platform set for them. The stage to reveal their prowess really a culmination of all those hard years of blood, sweat, tears and effort. But whatever the result whether they win or lose, they will carry home memories for the rest of their lives.

What are India’s chances of a medal? Well, being realistic one can honestly say with conviction that the only scope for medals are in hockey, Sanamacha Chanu in women’s weightlfiting and Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi in tennis. Without undermining the others, but at the same time being realistic, I do feel that the other athletes will also strive to perform and improve on their best timings/showings but will really will be without any hopes of winning a medal. I hope somebody proves me wrong.

Let us focus on hockey. It was a real and pleasant surprise to see that a hockey player Rechelle Hawkes who has represented Australia since 1988 Seoul Olympics and has three goals to her credit was chosen to take oath on the athletes’ behalf. I think this is the highest accolade an athlete can be bestowed with for service to the Nation.

This Olympics in my opinion is one that does not have any clear favourite. I for one believe that any of the 7 teams will be on the podium The Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Pakistan, India, Australia, Korea with dark horses Canada, Argentina and Great Britain causing their fair share of probems.

Let me share a few thoughts with you. The western teams base their entire game plan on the experienced players who are normally form the core group.

Most of these players have been in the National squads for better part of a decade and form the backbone of team’s performance. When one looses the services of these players a void is formed and it takes a lot of time and effort for the young blood to fill in the vacant spaces. Yes, they will have youth and exhuberance on their side but will be woefully short on experience. In 1996 every team was at its peak experience and fantastic combination being the forte of all these teams however with the loss of many a stalwart after Atlanta, this year’s Games will be an open contest. I for one do not believe that there is no clear favourite to wear the crown as most of the above 7 teams are on par with one another. Keeping the above in mind, I feel that the team with mental strengths in terms of grit, determination, character, unity, consistency and desire will be the one that will steal the thunder. Let us look at the pools. Pool A consists of India, Australia, Korea, Spain, Poland and Argentina whilst Pool Bcomprises The Netherlands, Germany, Pakistan, Great Britain, Malaysia and Canada.

There has been a lot of talk that India is in the easier pool and if one looks at the pools then one can predict with a fair share of optimism that India should make it to the semifinals. Victories over Argentina and Poland and possible draws against the three other teams should ensure a semifinal berth, after which anything can happen. However, I can’t but help think of what of happened of us in 1996 when we came a cropper against Argentina in our very first match and never had the mental strength to regroup after that loss. I for one would have preferred to be in the tougher pool. This would ensure that the team would be firing on all cylinders with no opportunity for complacency as well as the fact that with the opposition being so closely matched a tough pool could create a lot of topsy-turvy results that could be beneficial at the last moment.

Whatever pools the teams are in one can be sure that they will give their everything to try and achieve their first target get into the semis. I do believe that all this cloak and dagger stuff, the decoy game plans and not showing of their trump cards that has been apparent during the last year will unfold at the Games where tactical hockey will be on view. For me, India has quite a few players who are on a swan song and if they do perform to their potential there is no reason why we cannot return home with a medal.

As always I wish them every success.

(The author is National hockey selector and former coach of the Indian team)