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Hockey

Hockey coach AK Bansal tells Mobile ESPN's Ashish Bhardwaj that the sport in India has begun its long road to recovery.

Ashish Bhardwaj (AB): After the Azlan Shah silver, people are already taking about a revival in Indian hockey. Isn't it too premature?

AK Bansal (AKB): I agree with you. Let's say this is the beginning of a long road to recovery. Let's not read much into the second position at Azlan Shah. It's not much of an achievement. On a positive note, let's say our hockey in back on track and it will be a lot of hard work from now on.

AB: You have worked under the KPS Gill-led Indian Hockey Federation. Now you have an Indian Olympic Association-appointed adhoc committee running the show. Is it any better?

AKB: Even in this case, we have to wait and watch. It's too early too pass a comment. I have only spent a few days under the new committee. It's looking good and there are enough reasons to feel positive.

AB: IOA chief Suresh Kalmadi is already talking about winning the 2010 World Cup which India is hosting. Isn't that being over-ambitious?

AKB: Not really. This is the spirit and when the going is good, we must set our goals. 2010 will be a key year. First, there is the World Cup and then after two or three months, the Commonwealth Games. We still have 18 months to prepare and we must set a target to achieve.

AB: Do we have the talent to achieve our targets? Once again, the Azlan Shah team was dependant on a senior player like Sandeep Singh. Should we go back to seniors like Arjun Halappa who didn't find a place in Carvalho's plans?

AKB: If it's necessary, why not? But then we should not blindly go back to senior players. Their fitness should hold the key. Not only Halappa, all senior players must prove their fitness in camps. Senior players are always required and if they perform, I think the current selection committee will pick them.

AB: In an interview during Azlan Shah, you said the team was missing Tushar Khandekar...

AKB: Yes, I did. During the tournament, I felt we needed to sharpen our attack. The experience of Khandekar was clearly missing in our strikeline. Khandekar's presence would have surely boosted our attack.

AB: After the Azlan Shah performance, if it came to a choice of coaching the junior or senior India side, which one would you choose?

AKB: At this stage, it's difficult to comment. Frankly, I am not thinking about which age-group I should handle. I have always worked with the juniors and almost everyone in the current senior team has been trained by me. I am comfortable with any team I am given.

AB: On hindsight, do you think if the Azlan Shah squad played in the Santiago qualifiers, India would have qualified for the Olympics?

AKB: This is a hypothetical question which I can't reply.

AB: How was it having Ric Charlesworth at Azlan Shah?

AKB: It was great having him although he was not allowed to sit on the bench. But then Ric provided his inputs during breaks or whenever we had team meetings. He would video tape every game and then come up with his suggestions. It was very scientific.