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 GURGAON
: Inspired by his new role of guiding younger hockey players,
drag-flicker Jugraj Singh believes he can become a full-time coach in
the long run. Jugraj, whose flamboyant and power-packed drag-flicks
rattled many a goal-keeper in his hey days, said he would like to
improve upon his coaching skills and continue his association with the
junior team.
"Yes, I can do that (coaching). (IHF President) K P S Gill asked me to
carry on with the junior team. They are planning to arrange European
style of training, maybe with penalty corner exponent Toon Siepman of
Holland. If I get any new tip, I will share it with the boys," Jugraj
said in an exclusive interview.
"This is quite a new experience for me (to coach the juniors). I am
very lucky and thankful to god and the IHF for this opportunity," he
said.
Jugraj said in order to enhance his ability, he would like to take up
a course in coaching, being conducted by the International Hockey
Federation.
The Punjab player, however, has not given up hope on his return to the
fold of the national side.
"I am looking forward to get a chance as well. I am working on my
fitness to achieve that," he said.
A showman to the core and an able performer during the peak of his
career, Jugraj said he adopted a friendly approach towards his new
wards to make the training more effective.
"I adopt a totally friendly approach with the players. If I can mix
with them in a free and frank manner, then they will share their
problems with me. But I know where to draw the line. The boys are
happy and it's a great pleasure," Jugraj said.
"It was also a good experience to work with (chief coach) A K Bansal.
When I was 16, Bansal was my coach. So I am lucky in that way. The
understanding is good and he is very happy," he added.
Jugraj said in the longer run, he wanted to shift focus to various
aspects of drag-flick such as physique of players and other
techniques.
"We didn't get much time during this camp. So we concentrated on one
thing. From next time we will have scope to work on different areas
like developing certain muscles and other things.
"In this team we have just one drag-flicker -- Diwakar Ram. He is
good. But two or three other players also attended the camp who can be
groomed in future," he said.
Jugraj said despite the inexperience, the junior team should do well
in the eight-nation tournament in Germany next month.
"The main weakness is inexperience. This will be the first tour for 14
out of 18 players. But they would gain confidence. At the same time,
they are young, fast and high on fitness.
"The main target, however, is Junior Asia Cup (2008) and Junior World
Cup (2009). And by that time they should develop into a good unit," he
said.
Reasoning out why the junior players who do well in international
tournaments falter after graduating to the senior team, Jugraj said it
happened due to frequent changes in the side.
"We should continue with one team for 2-3 years. For example, during
2001, 2002 Champions Trophy and 2003 Asia Cup we did well as the
players played together. There was good team spirit in the side.
"Even the best of players put together cannot make a good team. Like
the Real Madrid have all the stars but they lost matches as the
understanding was not good enough.
"We should have 50 boys and rotate them in order to build cohesiveness
and team spirit," he said.
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