‘Let foreigners train juniors’

EXPRESSING his clear dislike for foreign coaches for the senior Indian hockey team, former India goalkeeper Mir Ranjan Negi suggested that they be asked to rather train the junior and sub-junior Indian teams.
“What can these foreign coaches teach the likes of Sardara Singh and Co? One cannot totally change the basics of a player in the senior squad. If only the federation wants to hire foreign coaches, they must do it to train the youngsters. Give the junior and sub-juniors teams to them,” said Negi while interacting with scribes in ‘Meet The Press’ organised by Sports Journalists Association of Nagpur (SJAN) at it premises on Saturday.
“They play hockey on laptop. Penalty corner conversion is one of the most important aspects to win matches and tell me what planning these high performance (foreign) coaches have had as we could not convert a single one in the last World Cup,” he asked.
Negi said it was high time that government and sports federation came up with policies promoting sports so that more sportspersons take to the ground. 
On India’s chances in the ongoing Asian Games, where a lacklustre India have made the semi-finals, Negi said, “There is no standard in the Asian Games and we must win the title. If they do not win here then where will they win?”
At the outset SJAN Secretary Kishor Bagde welcomed Negi. President Dr Ram Thakur conducted the proceedings and proposed a vote of thanks.
(All pics S Sudarshan)