AGENCY
MUMBAI: Former India hockey skipper MM Somaya is optimistic that the national men’s team has shown enough indications that it stood a very good chance of ascending the podium at next month’s Rio Olympics, a feat previously achieved by the nation last in 1980 Moscow Games.
“India are serious contenders for a medal in Rio. Coach Roelant Oltmans has done wonders with the team. He has brought a big change in the way the team plays with emphasis on system of play rather than depending on individuals,” he said today.
Somaya spoke on India’s prospects in men’s hockey at Rio along with 1980 Moscow Games’ women’s captain Eliza Nelson at a function organised by the Sports Journalists Association of Mumbai at the Cricket Club of India here.
Pointing out that he was pretty impressed with the way India played in the recent Champions Trophy where they finished runners-up to Australia, the three-time Olympian – who led in the 1988 Seoul Games – said Oltmans changes the system of play not only during a tournament but even midway during a match.
“He can change the formation for every game depending on the opposition and even within a match. At every tournament of late he has tried something new. He has made the players versatile. And that has kept the opposition guessing,” said Somaya who figured in the 1980, ’84 and ’88 Olympics.
“He’s focused on team play and not individuals. Barring Sardar Singh there’s no individual play. That’s the change he has brought. He has also used the rolling substitution beautifully,” said Somaya in appreciation of the good work done by the Dutchman.
“The silver medal in the Champions Trophy is a major achievement. We got a bronze in the 1980s the last medal won by India.”
Somaya felt the team, captained by goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, whom he described as having great leadership qualities, was good in almost all aspects, including fitness, and also had three good drag-flickers in VR Raghunath, Harmanpreet Singh and Rupinder Pal Singh. (PTI)
