Wiser from his own experience, 'Chak de India'-fame coach Mir Ranjan Negi says the country should back the hockey players to the hilt in their hour of crisis.
NEW DELHI: Wiser from his own experience, 'Chak de India'-fame coach Mir Ranjan Negi says the country should back the hockey players to the hilt in their hour of crisis following the Indian team's failure to qualify for the Olympics for the first time in 80 years.
Negi, who was branded by many as a 'traitor' and 'fixer' after India lost to Pakistan 1-7 in the final of 1982 New Delhi Asian Games, said the beleaguered players need 'love and support' to overcome this tragedy.
"Winning and losing is part of the game although this is the biggest blow to Indian hockey. There is no need to overreact or being harsh to the players. They are mentally very disturbed and we need to shower love, support and faith on them," the former goalkeeper said.
"Nobody better understands the situation of players than me. I have gone through the same phase in my career. My experience says that we should back our players," said Negi.
Indian hockey team lost to Great Britain 0-2 in the final of the Olympic qualifying event in Santiago, Chile, and the Indian Hockey Federation bore the brunt of the anger and anguish from former players and fans.
But, Negi does not want to be dragged into the politics of Indian hockey and would only express his sympathy for the players.
Negi, who came back as a coach to guide India to gold medal in 1998 Bangkok Asiad, suggested that the players should take a break from hockey.
"Players need a break from media, hockey and everyone. They should be sent to some hill station to forget this nighmare and comeback afresh.
"People and media will not let them forget this tragedy. They will treat them badly as if they have murdered somebody. Players should go away from the glare of everyone."
"Players like Tushar Khandekar and Shivendra singh have so much hockey left in them. We must save their future," said Negi, whose painful experience had inspired the hugely popular Bollywood movie 'Chak de India'.
Can Indian hockey bounce back from here in the same manner like 'chak de' coach Kabir khan (Shahrukh Khan) did?
"One hundred and one per cent," Negi asserts.
"This is the lowest point and we can not fall from here. It's time to rise from here. After every night, there is a sunrise. We have nothing to lose now," Negi added.
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