Now the women’s team plan commando operation

The women’s team too have undergone a similar drubbing lately. In the four matches — two against Australia and one each against South Korea and Japan — the defenders conceded 27 goals. And the one stand out point during these losses was the girls’ apprehension to indulge in body play and their general lack of mental strength.

Bose feels that though in recent times the Indian women (they failed to qualify for the 2004 Olympics) have overcome the fear of playing against top teams like Australia, a lot needs to be done to improve their body play and mental strength. Bose also expressed hope that the Manesar stint would change things. ‘‘Basically the commando training would be required to make them mentally tough. The Korean team is known for such training methods and the results are there to see,’’ she adds.

STEP IN RIGHT DIRECTION BUT …

Commando training is a step in the right direction especially if one thinks of IWHF’s long-term plan of preparing for the 2006 World Cup. However, there are a few more steps to be taken if the team has to retain focus. More importantly, they have to avoid their usual wrong moves:

NO MORE WATER-BUCKETS: The water-bucket episode is still fresh in the memory of hockey fans and the Indian women’s team. Partisan attitude of officials towards women hockey players has to change.

NO TIGHT PURSE-STRINGS: Members of the team are not paid — not even an allowance — for representing the country in international tournaments. Bose feels the ‘token’ allowance given to players from their employers is ‘‘good enough’’. Not really.

NO SMOKE SCREENS: Compared to other federations, the IWHF is a small body but tightly controlled by a few officials who will have to learn to be transparent if they want the game to expand. The policy of firing coaches also does not help in the long run.