Ajit Pal questions the need for foreign coach

NAGPUR: For a man who led India to their only World Cup triumph in 1975, Ajit Pal Singh has seen many ups and down in Indian hockey. The intrigue that baffles the great man is why is India unable to find doctors, psychologists and support staff for Indian teams.
Ajit Pal Singh also questions the need for India to retain the services of hockey coach Michael Nobbs."If India are not getting success after spending so much, then what's the need of a foreign coach?"
He argues his case: "We hired foreign coaches because they have gone through the system of producing top players. As far as India is concerned, we have many great players who can be successful coaches.
A foreign coach cannot understand the local culture and the boys, who are looking at the coach like a father figure, end up struggling."
Ajit Pal also speaks of hockey at the grass roots level, albeit the artificial variety. He feels India need to provide artificial pitches from the lowest level. "If a child plays on astro turf from his formative years, he tends to develop his muscles according to the needs of astro turf."
The power struggle between Hockey India (HI) and Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) saddens Ajit Pal. "Self interest was the only reason why we have two factions in our country." Yet, he is filled with hope.