New Delhi: India's preparation for the Olympic hockey qualifiers is gaining momentum with the list of probables already pruned from 45 to 32 for the final training camp beginning on February 1. But selecting the final 18 is an arduous task for the selection committee and coach Michael Nobbs, who says only fully-fit players will be able to throw in their hats.
Talking to IBNLive.com ahead of the Olympic Qualifiers from February 18-26 at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, India's coach looked pretty assured of his team's chances but said there still are a few areas of concern that need to be ironed out.
What will be your major focus going into the camp?
The major focus is to qualify (laughs). We'll be honing up everything, including problems in the defence, PC (penalty corner) practice, fitness. So it's not just one thing but everything that we need to do to take Indian hockey to the Olympics.
Where do you think India rank over their opponents in the Olympic qualifiers?
I think fitness will play a part. We are fitter than others, although we are yet to see that. We are playing attacking hockey, but in sport anything can happen on a given day.
You had said that Rajpal Singh may not be fit to play the qualifiers but he has been included in the 32. Does he still have a chance?
Rajpal and I had a good talk the other day. It's a major surgery [appendix] and our physio David [John] also thinks that he will take a few more weeks to get back into shape. With that kind of surgery, you can't train. He is certainly not forgotten. But I don't think he will be fit enough for the qualifiers.
Gurbaj Singh has been ruled out due to injury. How big a loss that is?
Again, the same issue [as Rajpal] with his fitness. His fitness levels were a little down [after the right knee injury]. We will bring him back and assess in three weeks. It will only be a miracle if he plays the qualifiers but he will back as soon as the qualifiers finish. We are going to get only fit players to play the qualifiers.
What's your reaction to USA pulling out of the Olympic qualifiers?
I'm disappointed that they have pulled out. The [USA] players also must be pretty disappointed. I understand their reasons for pulling out, but we would have wished them to be here and be part of the tournament.
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