Season of change: Old in the cold

While India will be facing the archrivals without star forwards Dhanraj Pillay, Baljit Singh Dhillon, Gagan Ajit Singh and Deepak Thakur, the hosts will be devoid of the services of skipper Mohammad Nadeem, veteran goalkeeper Ahmad Alam and full-back Ali Raza.

While Nadeem announced his retirement on Friday, others are likely to follow suit. However, making a comeback into the Pakistan side will be enfant terrible Mohammad Saqlain.

Saqlain, one of the most expressive players on-field, has been involved in several skirmishes with the Indian forward line over the years. His excitement and energy often provides the added spark in an Indo-Pak encounter, and his comeback, coupled with the absence of virtually the entire Indian forward line, would be interesting. Also, chief coach Roland Oeltmans is still supposedly against Saqlain’s inclusion.

IHF president KPS Gill had recently said that no Indian was capable of becoming a coach in India, and that the team needed foreign input to revive its fortunes. In contrast, Pakistan has appointed Asif Bajwa, currently in-charge of the junior team, as assistant to Oeltmans “to acquire some experience under Oltmans, whose term expires with the Champions Trophy in December” is a clear indication of PHF favouring a local man at the helm of affairs.

As for the new captain, the toss up is between diminutive left-half Wasim Ahmed and Saqlain, but the former is likely to get the nod simply because the Federation does not want to reward Saqlain twice.

Former all-time great Samiullah has been appointed the manager, with the PHF feeling that the position should be manned by a known hockey figure respected all over the world. One can almost hear the Indian fans craving for such “professionalism” from the IHF!