Email
Print
ShareAslam Sher Khan tells Sanjib Guha on how he plans to go about it. Excerpts...
What are your future plans?
We were never in deep trouble. It was because of KPS Gill's deliberate mismanagement that the sport is fighting for survival now. His sole aim was to destroy hockey. Our first task is to instill confidence among the players and give them proper exposure.
Will you be comfortable working with other members of the panel?
Absolutely. It's a fantastic committee comprising of aged, experienced and young members. Ajit Pal and I will be there as senior members while Ashok Kumar and Zafar Iqbal are all greats. So is Dhanraj. As he has just retired, he will be able to give us fresh ideas. I can assure you there will be no ego problems in my team.
Would you take suggestions from KPS Gill?
No way. He never asks for any suggestions and also doesn't listen to anyone. He only does whatever suits him.
Your immediate aim?
Our main target is the 2010 World Cup which we will host. Then the Commonwealth Games... But first we have to bring the game back on track.
Do you think sponsors will come now?
I can assure you that we will get more sponsors as Gill is not there. Because of Gill's attitude people were not ready to invest in hockey. Now that obstacle is gone. I hope the sponsors will flow in now. Also, both the government and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) are there to help us.
Hockey has again been promoted to Priority category...
We are grateful to Mr MS Gill (Sports Minister). It was really strong of him to ask KPS Gill to resign. That made the IOA's task that much easier.
What will be International Hockey Federation's (FIH) role in this restructuring?
FIH will play a big role. They have assured us of all support, they have employed Ric Charlesworth and Bob Davidson for the development process. It is the FIH who asked us to play on the natural surface more as there are not many astro-turfs in the country. So we are planning to start an international meet on grass involving a few foreign sides if possible.
How do you plan to use Charlesworth hereafter?
We will use the services of both Charlesworth and Davidson. We will also involve them in providing modern training to coaches who are trying to bring out talent from remote corners. We will identify potential areas and then chalk out plans to go ahead.
Would you speak to the players who could not make it to Beijing?
Let me tell you one thing, there will be no bar on any player to come to us. There will be no senior-junior divide. We will talk to them and put responsibilities on their shoulders. After all, they also have to think that they can win.
