New Delhi: The presence of a sportspsychologist during the preparatory camp contributed to the
success off Indian women's hockey team in the Asia Cup and a
full-time appointment will help produce better results in
future events, feels chief coach MK Kaushik.
Kaushik, who guided India to the silver medal in the
just-concluded seventh women's Asia Cup hockey tournament in
Bangkok, said even though he is grateful to have the services
of a psychologist during the camp, he wants somebody to travel
with the team on a permanent basis.
"I am thankful to the Sports Authority of India, who
provided us a professional psychologist during our month-long
camp before the Asia Cup. Dr Rajan of Silent Voice assisted us
during the camp and his association has had a positive impact
on the team," Kaushik told agency after returning home today.
"But we need one with the team for a longer period of
time. We want a psychologist to travel with us to take care of
various behavioural issues that confront the players," he
said.
When you look at top teams of the world, they have
support staff for a longer period of time which automatically
gives them an edge. We have the habit of losing our focus
quite frequently. Quite often we don't perform to the level
that international hockey demands. In top competitions we have
to be like IIT toppers.
"Likewise I want continuity to have a better
understanding with them and it will eventually translate into
better results," Kaushik added.
Kaushik also advocated the need of a full-time video
analyst with the team to help the players correct their flaws.
"We have to keep in mind that every team studies us
before a match, so a video analyst always comes handy during a
tournament," he said.
By virtue of their second place finish in the Asia Cup,
India qualified for next year's World Cup to be held in
Rosario, Argentina, but the national coach feels there is
still a lot of work to be done to fight it out against top
level teams at the mega event.
"It is wonderful to have qualified for the World Cup. The
girls really played very well but there are areas to improve
upon. The results are quite encouraging but you need at least
2-3 years to make a team.
"Considering the fact that there was very little hope
from us, especially after we finished fourth in last Asia Cup
in Hong Kong, the performance has improved but still not upto
the mark. I feel we have just improved 50 per cent," Kaushik
said.
He said the Asia Cup result has imbibed immense self
confidence in the players, but the road ahead is very
challenging and tough.
"We qualified for the World Cup and now many strong teams
would like to play against us. We, therefore, have to prepare
our strategies and plans better," he said.
Bureau Report
First Published: Monday, November 09, 2009, 18:27