THEIR VIEWS

India's failure to qualify for the olympics has been a big disappointment for all hockey fans.There has been lots of differents views on this debacle that has shaken up indian hockey.But Its always better to get the views of former national players who are the sole reason for the glorious moments of the past.here is what they had to say on this debacle:

M.P. Ganesh: This was waiting to happen the day we lost to China at the Asian Games. We did not bother to read the signs. I believe that we cannot hold any single individual responsible. The IHF should not accept Carvalho’s resignation as everyone, including players and administrators, were equally responsible.

Dhanraj Pillay: Britain was the only team worth beating at the Olympic qualifiers and we lost to them twice. It shows that the lessons of the earlier defeat were not learnt. I felt the players were not following any gameplan, the joint effort seemed missing.

N. Mukesh Kumar: It will be a big blow to the sport which is already struggling for survival. At least now, it is time for fresh ideas and youth to have a major say in the running of the sport. It will be unfair to blame Carvalho entirely for the debacle. May be, the team paid dearly for dropping seniors like Gagan Ajit Singh, Viren Rasquinha and Sandeep Singh.

R. S. Bhola: A coaching advisory council should be appointed to draw up a proper plan. They should have utilised the services of Charlesworth. Either bring him in directly into coaching the team or else let him train coaches.

Harbinder Singh: Britain outclassed us. We couldn’t play under pressure. Our poor trapping and aimless passing stood out. When Britain scored the first goal there were six defenders in the circle and the scorer was left unmarked. Britain played attacking hockey. This could have been a more humiliating defeat.

Mohammad Shahid: It is time the government interfered. Why did we reach the stage of having to qualify for the Olympics? It is a very sad and unfortunate day. It is not the first time we have lost but this loss would shatter the hockey fraternity.