KNOW ABOUT RAJPAL

Rajpal Singh (born August 8th, 1983) is the captain of India's national field hockey team. He is from Chandigarh. His local team is the Chandigarh Dynamos. The Forward made his international senior debut in 2004, Sultan Azlan Shah CUP at Malaysia. After that he is the part of every major tournament. He studied at Shivalik Public School, Chandigarh, and was a member of the Indian team that finished fifth at the 2006 at Doha Asian Games.

Q: How you joined hockey?
A: When I was in the school I use to watch hockey .I like that so I started playing hockey. After lot of hard work I was selected for junior National in 2001 which was held in Chennai where Chandigarh won Gold for the first time that was the motivation for me.

Q: Who was your motivation in hockey when you started playing?
A: My dad he is great fan of hockey. He also coached me initially, and even my elder brother Gurpreet Singh who also play hockey for ONGC.

Q: Apart from Hockey which sport you like?
A: I am a great fan of Cricket and athletics. When I was in school I participated in 4 X 100 meter and won the gold medal.

Q: How is it leading Chandigarh Dynamos in the Premier Hockey League (PHL)?A: It has lot of fun and a great experience for me.

Q: Is there any effect of condition while playing overseas?
A: Condition of ground is same every where, as about personal playing outside is always a pleasure because there is less pressure from crowd.

Q: Are you satisfied with your individual experience after Santiago debacle?
A: We have lost final that is the main thing I am not satisfied with my performance. In case we would have won then my statement would turn to yes.

Q: Before the Olympics cup qualifier you were there in preparation camp held at Australia. You made a statement “you will not play for India in the qualifiers my self respect is more important then my career” as you were having some problem with your coach. It was true?
A: yes I won’t deny from that I really said that because from the coach I was not getting respect on the field or off the field. Self respect is important to every person.

Q: How much importance you give to your studies?
A: I think study is equally important in success. Now I fell how important it is because for that reason only I did not get promotion in Indian Oil. I am an employee of Indian Oil. Now I am appearing for Bachelor of Arts.

Q: Are you happy with the working of Indian Hockey Federation (IHF)?
A: As I am getting selected so I am happy

Q: Change you desperately want in Indian Hockey?
A: There should be a senior and old player association in hockey. Who will fights for our rights.

Q: Long struggle to find sponsors for the event and lack of progress in infrastructure what do you say about this?
A: I think we need good marketing and PR teams those who can help in popularization of the game. There is nothing this sort yet. Another Sports Authority of India SAI can help in improving; they have enough budgets to improve the infrastructure.

Q: Now what do you say about our national team?
A: At this time we are at the bottom will surely bounce back. We have the potential. We will come back strongly.

one on one with Desh Prem Azad

Desh Prem Azad is the Dronacharya awardee and renowned coach of the big names like Kapil Dev, Yograj Singh, Chetan Sharma and Ashok Malhotra. He made hid debut in cricket in 1953 and became a qualified coach in 1961got certified from NIS. Started at a very tender age of 14 yrs he played his first Ranji trophy when he was in 9th class. He was born in Amritsar and completed his schooling from Patiala. He then graduated from DAV College Jalandhar.

Now, a chairman of coaching committee of BCCI, D.P Azad has launched a cricket academy at St Stephen’s school in sector 45 Chandigarh in June 2006. The academy being run under the aegis of Dronacharya sports promoters association is known as D P Azad cricket academy.


Q: At what age did you start up with your career and did you always wanted to be associated with cricket only?
A: I started at the age of 14. My father always wants me to be in hockey player as he was associated with hockey. But I started playing cricket. I played my first Ranji match for Punjab when I was in 9th standard.

Q: Who coached you when you were playing?
A: Mr. L P O’Brien was my coach. He was from Australia.

Q: In 1968 when you received the Dronacharya Award were you expecting that?
A: Why not? I’m responsible for changing the Indian bowling scenario. India’s main strength was spin in 70’s. But then I bring Kapil Dev and Chetan Sharma in the team.

Q: How do you feel to be the successful man behind the big names like Kapil Dev, Yograj Singh, Chetan Sharma and Ashok Malhotra?
A: I feel the way parents or a teacher feels. I’m a very harsh coach like my own coach. But it is just to find the extraordinary, there is nothing personal. I remember when Kapil won the wisdom cricketer award at lords in 2002. In his interview he talked about my harshness turned him into a Captain of Indian team.

Q: You were the member of SAI and BCCI technical committee. How was the experience?
A: It was a great experience. Lots of responsibility was given to me and I enjoyed it. SAI nominated me as member of academy council. Now I’m chairman of coaching committee BCCI.

Q: Your suggestion to SAI for associating a representative of Dronacharya awardees forum with the selection procedure has it been implemented?
A: Yes to an extent they started giving preference. I am the first Dronacharya awardee in BCCI selection Committee.

Q: How did you come up with the idea of setting up an academy?
A: I was not interested as I was a president of Chandigarh golf club for 7yrs. Then after that I was not involved any where.
In June 2006 when I was doing nothing I was being pressurized by parents for such a long time to coach there kids as there weren’t many good coaches available.

Q: What kind of support are you getting from the school academy?
A: I have good support from the principal. School has given me free hand to work. MR. Harold Carver is such a sports loving person. He makes sure that all my boys get getting all the back up and support.

Q: There are many other academies too, how yours is different from them?
A: “Khaitan ka naam hi kafi hai”. My every student knows how to handle the bat with the very basics in just 8months. I believe in teaching the basics in the cricket ship.

Q: What do you think how bright are India’s chances in his world cup?
A: It is difficult to predict a one day match. Like Bangladesh won against New Zealand in West Indies during practice match, now who could imagine that. There is a stiff competition as there are teams like Australia, West Indies, South Africa, England, India, Pakistan, New Zealand and Sri Lanka.

Q: What are your views on Sehwag’s form?
A: “Umeed Pe Duniya Kayam Hai” he is a single handed match winner. The day he opened up he’ll show what he is.

Q: In cricket which is your favorite format? Test, one day or 20-20?
A: As a coach I don’t agree with the 20-20 matches. Test cricket is the real cricket. It is sad to see Chandigarh club promoting 20-20. I believe both the batsmen and bowler need time to play.

Q: In some cricket loving nations like West Indies and England youth is leaning towards other sports also. Do you think something like that can happen in India too?
A: No, not in the near future. No other sports have that much money. BCCI gives pension which other sports authority does that. 80,000 are given individually for playing Ranji. Cricket will live forever.

Q: Apart from cricket which other sports you like?
A: I play golf, I was national champion of table tennis, I also love swimming, and badminton and volleyball are also my favorite.

Q: According to you what would be the perfect age to start cricket. And how many students is there your academy?
A: The younger the better as it is the age where we can mould students with lessons. I’ve 40 students in my academy of different age group stating from 8-10, 10-12 AND 12-14. BUT 8-10 is the most preferred age group to start.

Q: What’s your message for your students and cricket fans?

A: Today I tell my students that apart from cricket, studies are important too and first priority. Nobody used to say that to us. Not every one succeeds in cricket and that’s when studies help. As for cricket fans I just want to covey request that if India wins then well and good and if they didn’t then lets not destroy the sportsmanship by throwing stones and raising slogans outside their homes

one on one with Viren

Viren Wilfred Rasquinha (born September 13, 1980) is the captain of India's national field hockey team. He is from Bombay. His local team is the Maratha Warriors. The midfielder made his international senior debut in May 2002, at a Four Nation Tournament in Adelaide. He studied at the St. Stanislaus High School, and was a member of the Indian team that finished seventh at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.Olympic Gold Quest announces the appointment of Viren Rasquinha as Its Chief Operations Officer with Effect From 1st June, 2009

Q: How you been into hockey?
A: When I was in the school I use to watch hockey .I like that so I started playing hockey. After lot of hard work I was selected for junior World Cup camp in 2001 that was the motivation for me.


Q: How is it leading Maratha Warriors in the Premier Hockey League (PHL)?

A: It has lot of fun and a great experience for me.


Q: Do you think the teams are evenly balanced in the PHL?
A: Yes very much. Even Chennai which finished last beat Hyderabad and Bangalore, which shows that every team was capable of beating the other.


Q: What do you think we are including overseas player in PHL what impact they have in the team?
A: They have big impact on the team player tike Jimmy Dyer from Australia who was the player of the year 2005 it is a great pleasure for us to have him in our team and guys are so curious to see him ,he also give good tips to guys.

Q: Who is your all time favorite player who is your current idol?
A: Dhanraj Pillay he is one of the best I had ever seen and you talk about any current idol I like Dilip Tirkey.


Q: What do you think that PHL will help Indian boys to raise our hockey?
A: It will help young players to perform at higher level it is the platform for established player to show there skills.


Q: Do you think that same format of 4 quarters should be implemented in international hockey?
A: I don’t think so we should follow the 4 quarter system yes we should follow time out system it will help players.


Q: How good you say that Indian team is? We end up finished fifth or sixth in every major tournament?
A: There is no as such particular thing we need to improve on each and every small aspect, like style, planning, system, fitness and mental strength etc. Board should keep faith in the player and give proper time to show their skills.


Q: Why do we Indians choke in the dying moments of a game ,we have lost many matches in the last 5-10 minutes , is it psychological or is it because our players get tired?

A: It is probably a bit of both. I think the players have to start believing in them that during the final stages of the match we can win close encounters. As for the fitness part, it’s up to the individual players to maintain themselves in absolute peak shape.


Q: In which style we have to play to raise our standard?
A: We should not follow any particular style. We should change style what we are following now. We need to improve on our basics. We should play to our strength like style Europeans style – they are solid in defense and quick releasing of the ball should be included.


Q: How would best describe your role in the team?
A: Basically a midfielder I am trying to improve my attacking play as well in order to contribute more to the team.

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