New Delhi, Jan 31 (IANS) India hockey coach Michael Nobbs Tuesday said a national team cannot be picked on sentiment and reputation but on current form, making it amply clear that the 18-member squad for the 2012 Olympic qualifiers was chosen on the basis of performance in the Test series against South Africa.
When questioned why former captains Rajpal Singh and Arjun Halappa were dropped, Nobbs shot back: “Are you suggesting that I have to pick players on their past reputation? It is a unanimous decision and Hockey India (HI) selectors are all experienced people and there is a selection policy.”
The Australian said he was happy with the squad that has been selected for the Feb 18-26 tournament to be played at the National Stadium here. Canada, France, Poland, Singapore and Italy are the other teams in the tournament.
“I am happy with the team. We have spent months to pick the team. The Test series against South Africa was designed to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the team. The squad was picked on the basis of their performance in the Test series against South Africa,” said Nobbs, flanked by captain Bharat Chettri and vice-captain Sardar Singh.
Nobbs said his job is to prepare the best squad for the Olympic qualifiers.
“I am an employee of India and my job is not to show favouritism towards certain players. My job is to get the best squad with in-form players. It is time for us to focus on the tournament. In the team, we have the best players who can win the match for us. I have faith in the boys. The proof of the pudding is in the eating and on February 26 the result will be there for all to see.
Asked about India’s chances of qualifying for the Olympics, Nobbs said: “I am happy with the squad and confident of their good show in the Olympic qualifiers. We have progressed and hopefully we will win the tournament 99.95 percent.”
When pointed out that easy draw favours India, Nobbs said: “It might seem easy but easy is a relative term and we are not taking any team lightly… doesn’t matter if it is Singapore, ranked 41 or Canada, we will try to control things which we can.”
Nobbs said if India, eight-times Olympic champions, have to regain their place in world hockey then tough decisions would have to be made.
“We want to have a healthy competition among 33 players, where three players are fighting for a place. If we want India to get back to the top of the world then we will have to take tough decisions. As a player it is tough being dropped. Even I was dropped as a player. Change is difficult and this is change,” he said.
Chettri, goalkeeper, said the squad comprises all-rounders, which is the demand of modern hockey.
“The selectors have picked a good team and I am confident that the young side will do well. We need players who can play in all positions. That is the demand of modern hockey and in this team we have all-rounders,” he said.
