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NEW DELHI: Former skipper Zafar Iqbal has warned Tokyo-bound Indian men’s hockey teams with dissatisfaction, saying the Olympics atmosphere is very different from test events and there is no room for slipping or experimentation.
Less than 30 days have passed since the Tokyo Games, and the Indian team is preparing for the celebration.
“The team is ranked 4th in the world, which in itself is a great achievement. I liked their performance on tour against Argentina, where they played well,” Iqbal quoted in Hockey India.
“I just have to say that the atmosphere at the Olympics is very different from the test games. There is no room here for slips or trials, and each player’s self-confidence and self-determination are the most valuable features of a team,” he added.
The iconic striker also recalled the victorious memories of India’s last gold-winning campaign at the 1980 Moscow Olympics.
“The memory of 1980 will last in me forever. It was more than a personal achievement because it was such a great moment for the country as well. It was the country’s 8th hockey gold medal, a record that is sure to stand for a long, long time.
“It was a tough campaign for us because most of the team members were young players and made their debuts at the Olympics. I think only Vasudevan Baskaran and Bir Bahadur Chhetri had previously played in the 1976 Olympics. I remember the final was a really difficult match against Spain. Mohammed Shahid was our key player in the final, and he played exceptionally well that day, ”Iqbal said.
Nicknamed ‘Hockey Gentleman’, Iqbal had the esteemed distinction of being the flag bearer of the Indian Division at the opening of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
He also led the men’s hockey team that year. While Iqbal had an excellent Player Career full of many such highlights, he recalls one particular match as his most pleasing personal memory.
“I still remember the 1982 Champions Trophy against Pakistan in the Netherlands. We stayed 0-3 over our competitors in the early stages of that game, and held a huge comeback to eventually win that game 5-4.
“Rajinder Singh Jr scored 3 goals in a game that led us to a memorable victory. It was a beautiful feeling,” he said.
Less than 30 days have passed since the Tokyo Games, and the Indian team is preparing for the celebration.
“The team is ranked 4th in the world, which in itself is a great achievement. I liked their performance on tour against Argentina, where they played well,” Iqbal quoted in Hockey India.
“I just have to say that the atmosphere at the Olympics is very different from the test games. There is no room here for slips or trials, and each player’s self-confidence and self-determination are the most valuable features of a team,” he added.
The iconic striker also recalled the victorious memories of India’s last gold-winning campaign at the 1980 Moscow Olympics.
“The memory of 1980 will last in me forever. It was more than a personal achievement because it was such a great moment for the country as well. It was the country’s 8th hockey gold medal, a record that is sure to stand for a long, long time.
“It was a tough campaign for us because most of the team members were young players and made their debuts at the Olympics. I think only Vasudevan Baskaran and Bir Bahadur Chhetri had previously played in the 1976 Olympics. I remember the final was a really difficult match against Spain. Mohammed Shahid was our key player in the final, and he played exceptionally well that day, ”Iqbal said.
Nicknamed ‘Hockey Gentleman’, Iqbal had the esteemed distinction of being the flag bearer of the Indian Division at the opening of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
He also led the men’s hockey team that year. While Iqbal had an excellent Player Career full of many such highlights, he recalls one particular match as his most pleasing personal memory.
“I still remember the 1982 Champions Trophy against Pakistan in the Netherlands. We stayed 0-3 over our competitors in the early stages of that game, and held a huge comeback to eventually win that game 5-4.
“Rajinder Singh Jr scored 3 goals in a game that led us to a memorable victory. It was a beautiful feeling,” he said.
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Sources 2/ https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/hockey/top-stories/former-skipper-zafar-iqbal-cautions-indian-mens-hockey-team-against-complacency/articleshow/84093226.cms The mention sources can contact us to remove/changing this article |
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