Interview: We will give our best shot in Asia Cup, says India’s assistant coach MK Kaushik

This piece was published in Sportskeeda

These are difficult times for the Indian men’s hockey team. Desperate times call for desperate measures goes the saying and the national team have no option but to summon desperate measures in a last-ditch effort to seal a berth in the 2014 World Cup by winning the upcoming 9th Asia Cup.

And for one man – Maharaj Krishan Kaushik – who has weathered many tough times in his playing and coaching career, it is a big-time opportunity to play a part in helping India book a ticket to the 2014 World Cup. “I’m elated to have been given the opportunity by Hockey India (HI) to contribute in some way in helping the Indian team win the Asia Cup and cement our place in the World Cup,” the national team's assistant coach Kaushik says in an exclusive interview.

The 58-year-old, who was part of the 1980 Moscow Olympics gold-winning team as well a member of the 1982 Asia Cup silver-winning team, concedes that the pressure will be on India to deliver. “No doubt the boys will feel the pressure given the fact that this is our last opportunity to seal our World Cup, but I have no doubts that the boys have what it takes to handle such pressure,” he says.

The former speedy right winger, who also played in the 1982 World Cup in Mumbai, says he has enjoyed working closely with head coach Roelant Oltmans who is also Hockey India’s High Performance Manager. “Roelant Oltmans is a famed coach with world-class credentials. I don’t even have to say it, the hockey world knows him. I’m trying to help the team in whatever capacity I can,” he says.

Kaushik, who first served as the Indian women’s team coach from 1991-1994 and then again from 1994-2008, says the team have showed improvement under Michael Nobbs. “I think the team did show improvement in certain areas under Nobbs. It will be unfair to say that the team achieved nothing with Nobbs as coach. We just have to take this team forward with the right strategy,” he quips.

Kaushik retired as Deputy Director of Sports with the Haryana Government. He had attained a fair amount of success as national women’s coach. He guided the Indian hockey eves to a bronze in the 1993 Asia Cup in Hong Kong. Kaushik in his second stint as women’s hockey coach, shepherded the Indian eves to gold in the 2004 Asia Cup in New Delhi. He helped the Indian hockey eves bag a silver in the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne as well as a bronze in the 2006 Doha Asiad.

There is so much talk going around about which style of hockey India must adopt – Kaushik feels India has to do what is good for them. “I’m not suggesting that we should stick to a European or Asian style of hockey or Australian way of attacking hockey. All I’m saying is that we should employ a strategy which is in the best interests of the national team,” he explains.

And what about the never-ending talk about whether Indian coaches lack the skills to meet the requirements of modern hockey, as suggested by legendary Aussie Ric Charlesworth? “Ric Charlesworth is a big name in world hockey, he is entitled to his opinion. I think Indian coaches are not lacking in this aspect and can contribute in some capacity or the other,” he chooses his words carefully.

Kaushik, who helped the Indian men’s team to gold in the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games, agrees a coach is better off if he has played the game with distinction. “Obviously it is of big help. When you have played the game you are in a better position to understand the psychological demands of the game and how the players have to cope with them,” adds Kaushik, who replaced his 1980 Olympics team captain Vasudevan Bhaskaran as national coach following India’s disastrous 1998 Utrecht World Cup campaign.

The upcoming 9th Asia Cup will see India battle with the likes of Korea, Pakistan and Malaysia for the lone continental berth. Kaushik feels India have the wherewithal to book its flight to Hague. “I know it won’t be easy but we have world-class players to do the job for us. I’m upbeat  about our qualifying chances, we will give our best shot, quips the former India player," who has been appointed as assistant coach till the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Hero Junior World Cup: Indian face England in opening practice game

The Manpreet Singh-led Indian junior men’s hockey team will take on England in their opening preparatory game under lights at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium on Saturday.

The match will allow the hosts to fine-tune their preparations for the upcoming 10^th Hero Junior World Cup hockey tournament, beginning at the same venue from December 6.

The hosts will play their second and final warm-up match against Belgium on December 4.

India will kickstart their 10^th Junior World Cup campaign against formidable Netherlands on December 6 in a Pool C game – the opening day of the big-ticket event.

They play their second match against Canada on December on 7 and their final league tie against Korea on December 10.

It may be worth recalling that India had won the Junior World Cup only once in the 2011 edition in Hobart, Australia, where they thumped Argentina 6-1 in the title clash.

Hockey lovers can book Junior World Cup tickets alive

The upcoming 10^th Hero Junior World Cup hockey tournament, beginning at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium from December 6 is expected to pull in big crowds given the fact the event is held in our own backyard.

Hockey buffs can watch the live World Cup action at Major Dhyan Chand National Hockey Stadium by booking tickets online at www.ticketgenie.in – the official ticketing partner of the 2013 Hero Hockey Junior World Cup Men.

Tickets will be priced at Rs 50 for generala admission, while hockey lovers who wish to avail an VIP seat has to shell out Rs. 1000. Each ticket entitles the spectator to watch all the matches being held on each day. The Major Dhyan Chand National Hockey Stadium has the capacity of accommodating around 16,000 spectators.

The organizers have kept ticket prices lower in a bid to ensure maximum spectator interest for the big-ticket event.

As many as 16 teams will be slugging it out in the ten-day event, playing 44 matches at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.

Pool A features Germany, Pakistan, Belgium and Egypt, while Australia, Spain, Argentina and France are competing in Pool B. India is placed in Pool C with The Netherlands, Korea and Canada will challenge each other in Pool C with England, New Zealand, South Africa and Malaysia going head to head in Pool D.

India’s league games to be played under lights

Hockey India (HI) is taking all care to ensure that the upcoming 10^th Junior World Cup hockey tournament, beginning at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium from December 6, attracts a big draw. The hockey body has scheduled all the India’s league games – the opening game against the Netherlands on December 6, the second game against Canada on December 7 and the concluding league fixture against Korea on December 10 – at 8 pm IST to ensure hockey lovers coming from work are in a position to watch the hosts in action. Of course, it goes without saying that the timings of the quarterfinal, semifinal and the final stage is subject to how India fares in the league phase.

It may be worth recalling that India had won the Junior World Cup only once in the 2011 edition in Hobart, Australia, where they thumped Argentina 6-1 in the title clash under the captaincy of Gagan Ajit Singh, who happens to be a national selector now.

SK Uthappa turns 20

Indian hockey striker SK Uthappa turned 20 today. The Coorg lad was recently marked a national comeback in the 9^th Asia Cup in Ipoh, Malaysia after being in the wilderness for some time.

It is interesting to mention that caretaker coach Roelant Oltmans used the London Olympian as a midfielder in the tourney instead of playing in his natural forward position.

The IOC employee dropped from the national team after the 34^th FIH Champions Trophy in Melbourne, Australia in December 2012.

Uthappa turns out for Uttar Pradesh Wizards in the Hockey India League.

Hockey Passion wishes SK Uthappa a Very Happy Birthday and hopes the occasion rings in more success and prosperity in his life.

Chinglensana Singh turns 22 today

Indian hockey striker Chinglensana Singh turned 22 today. The nippy Manipuri last played for the senior men’s team in the 9^th Asia Cup in Ipoh and was not part of the team for the 3^rd Asian Champions Trophy in Kakamigahara, Japan, as the national hockey selectors opted to field the juniors in preparation for the 10^th Hero Junior World Cup.

The diminutive forward, who is employed with Railways, featured in the inaugural Hero Hockey India League for Mumbai Magicians.

A product of the Delhi-based Punjab National Bank academy, Chinglensana has also played for teams like Mumbai Porters and Mumbai Customs.

He made his senior international debut in the 2011 Asian Champions Trophy in Ordos, China. Hockey Passion wishes Chinglensana Singh a Very Happy Birthday and hopes the occasion rings in more success and prosperity in his life.

Indian hockey forward Akashdeep Singh turns 19

Talented Indian hockey forward Akashdeep Singh turned 19 today. The ONGC employee, who played in the 3^rd Asian Champions Trophy in Kakamigahara, Japan, where India finished runners-up losing to Korea narrowly in the final.

The 3^rd Asian Champions Trophy was kind of a comeback for Akashdeep, who pulled out of the 9^th Asia Cup in Ipoh owing to a shin injury.

The youngster is rated highly by Hockey India High Performance Manager Roelant Oltmans.

The Delhi Waveriders striker’s presence in the Indian forwardline will be key in the upcoming 10^th Hero Junior World Cup hockey tournament.  He is expected to play a pivotal role upfront.

Hockey Passion wishes Akashdeep Singh a Very Happy Birthday and hopes the occasion rings in more success and prosperity in his life.

Indian hockey striker Yuvraj Walmiki turns 23

Out-of-favour Indian hockey player Yuvraj Walmiki turned 23 today. The talented Mumbai youngster has been out of the national team since last wearing the blueshirt at the 34th FIH Champions Trophy held in Melbourne, Australia in December 2012.

The nippy striker was initially included in the national team for the subsequent 2012 Asian Champions Trophy tourney, but was dropped at the eleventh hour.

Yuvraj, who turns out for Delhi Waveriders in the Hockey India League, recently joined Indian Oil after deciding not to take up a job with Central Railway.

He recently plied his trade in the German hockey league (Bundesliga) for TGF Frankenthal, but a decent performance there failed to impress the national selectors and he was again overlooked for the 9^th Asia Cup – the senior men team’s last international assignment.

Hockey Passion wishes Yuvraj Walmiki a Very Happy Birthday and hopes the occasion rings in more success and prosperity in his life.

India to play two warm-up games

The Manpreet Singh-led Indian junior men’s hockey team will play two warm-up games to fine-tune their preparations for the 10^th Junior World Cup beginning at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium from December 6.

The Blueshirts will play their first practice game against England on December 30. The hosts will play their second and final warm-up match against Belgium on January 4.

India will kickstart their 10^th Junior World Cup campaign against formidable Netherlands on December 6 in a Pool C game – the opening day of the big-ticket event.

They play their second match against Canada on December on 7 and their final league tie against Korea on December 10.

It may be worth recalling that India have won the Junior World Cup only once in the 2011 edition in Hobart, Australia, where they thumped Argentina 6-1 in the title clash.

England first to arrive for Junior World Cup

England junior men’s hockey team became the first team to arrive in New Delhi for the 10^th Junior World Cup hockey tournament beginning at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium from December 6.

The English team went through the paces at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium as part of their preparations for the marquee event.

England are placed in Pool D alongside South Africa, Malaysia and New Zealand.

England will launch their campaign on the opening day of the event against South Africa.  They play New Zealand on December 8 and will wrap up their league assignments against Malaysia on December 9.

England have never made a podium finish in the junior World Cup. Their best effort came in the 1997 and 2011 editions in Milton Keynes (England) and Hobart (Australia), where they bagged the fourth position respectively.