4th Senior Nationals: Chhattisgarh rally to beat Kerala 3-2

Chhattisgarh rallied brilliantly to put it across Kerala 3-2 in the 4th Hockey India Senior Men’s National Championship being played at the Dhyan Chand Stadium in Lucknow. Chhattisgarh were at the receiving end after Kerala held a two-goal lead riding on first half strikes from Sarin and Jithu Sasi.

Chhattisgarh played with more purpose in the second half and reduced the margin in the 54^th minute through Shakeel Ahmed off a penalty corner. Mohd. Erfan Khan brought his side on level terms with a 62nd minute strike before Upendra Pillay churned out the match-clincher in the dying moments of the game to snatch a win from what seemed like a lost cause for them at half-time.

The win helped Chhattisgarh to move to the top of Pool D with 11 points from 5 games, who are closely followed by Maharastra with 10 points from four games. Meanwhile, Hockey Gangpur – Odisha racked up its fifth straight win thumping Mizoram 6-0 and consolidated its position on top of Pool C with 15 points. They are far ahead of second-placed Bengal who have 9 points from 4 games.

In another tie, Puducherry routed Tripura 11-1 to advance to the third spot in Pool C.

World Cup probables announced; Gurbaj recalled, Sandeep included

Out-of-favour midfielder Gurbaj Singh, talented UP boy Lalit Upadhyay and drag-flicker Sandeep Singh have managed to grab the attention of the national hockey selectors as the trio have been named among the 33 probables for the first phase of the national camp for the 2014 World Cup beginning at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, New Delhi.

Gurbaj was in rollicking form during the recently-held second HIL where he stole the show with two Man of the Match awards for triumphant Delhi Waveriders, while Lalit Upadhyay made a huge impression for Kalinga Lancers. Sandeep was in blazing form emerging as the top goal-scorer of the 2nd HIL, producing an encore of 2013 HIL.

Mandeep Singh, who pulled out of the 2^nd HIL with a waist injury, seems to be recovered and is named among the probables.Harjot Singh, who had a great time under the cage for Kalinga Lancers in the 2^nd HIL also finds his name among the probables.

The selectors have also given a call-up to the likes of Vikas Pillay, Jasjit Singh and Devinder Walmiki - brother of Yuvraj Walmiki. Danish Mujtaba marks a return to the national fold after a long injury lay-off, while Gurwinder Singh Chandi, who is recuperating from a long injury lay-off has not been picked in the 33 probables.

The camp will run till April 10 before the team embarks on an exposure tour of the Netherlands. The World Cup will be held in The Hague, Netherlands from May 31 to June 15.

The Probables

Goalkeepers: PR Sreejesh, Harjot Singh, Sushant Tirkey; Defenders:Gurbaj Singh, Rupinder Pal Singh, V R Raghunath, Birendra Lakra, Gurmail Singh, Kothajit Singh, Gurjinder Singh, Gurinder Singh, Sandeep Singh, Vikram Kanth; Midfielders: S K Uthappa, Dharamvir Singh, Chinglensana Singh, Kangujam, Sardar Singh, Manpreet Singh, Danish Mujtaba, Satbir Singh, Devinder Sunil Walmiki, Vikas Pillay, Jasjit Singh; Forwards:Nikkin Thimmaiah, Nithin Thimmaiah, S V Sunil, Mandeep Singh, Akashdeep Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Affan Yousuf, Yuvraj Walmiki, Talwinder Singh, Lalit Upadhyay.

Hockey India gets National Sports Federation (NSF) status

Hockey India’s (HI) desire to be the sole governing body for the sport in the country, received a massive boost with the Government of India recently accorded it the status of a National Sports Federation (NSF).

It may be worth recalling that the Union Sports Ministry had derecognised HI in 2012 for not adhering to government guidelines, internal disputes and mismanagement. Under Secretary to the Government of India, A K Patro said in a letter addressed to HI secretary general Narinder Batra, dated February that HI will be the sole body running the sport in the country.

As per the letter, HI in order to get assistance and continued recognition from the Sports Ministry, will have to follow the guidelines of the government and the National Sports Development Code of India. HI and FIH have jointly organised major tournaments like the FIH Olympic Qualifiers, FIH World League Round 2, FIH Junior Men World Cup and FIH World League Round Final in India since 2012.

HI will host major events during the 2014-2018 period, which includes this year’s Champions Trophy, FIH Women’s World League Round-2 and FIH Men’s World League Final in 2015, FIH Junior Men’s World Cup in 2016, FIH Men’s World League Round Final in 2017 and FIH Senior Men’s World Cup in 2018.

Indian fullback Vokkaliga Raghunath gets married to Surya

It is the biggest moment in a person’s life. And for Indian fullback Vokkaliga Raghunath it isn’t any different as he tied the nuptial knot with Surya in Bengaluru today.

The burly-26-year-old drag-flicker, who turns out for Uttar Pradesh Wizards in the Hero Hockey India League, and more famously for his sizzling hat-trick, which saw the Sahara Pariwar-owned side bag the third position in the inaugural HIL after coming from behind in a magnificent fashion.

It may be worth recalling that Raghunath got engaged to Surya last year and the duo choose to enter into wedlock after the completion of the 2^nd HIL ahead of an important year for Indian hockey featuring four high-profile events – World Cup, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and Champions Trophy.

The Coorg lad was entrusted the vice-captain responsibilities after the 2012 London Olympics. In fact, he was Sardar Singh’s deputy in the 2012 FIH Champions Trophy,  2012 Asian Champions Trophy, 2013 Hockey World League Round 2, 2013 Hockey World League Semifinals before the national hockey selectors named goalkeeper PR Sreejesh as India’s vice captain in the 2013 Asia Cup 2014 Hockey World League finals.

Raghunath, who has made more than 150 international appearances, was rested for the 2013 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup along with three frontline players – Sardar Singh, SV Sunil and Birendra Lakra.

The Indian defender is expected to join the national camp for the 2014 World Cup beginning March 9.

4th Senior NationalS: Debutants Hockey Gangpur extend winning run

Debutants Hockey Gangpur, Odisha extended its winning run in the 4th Hockey India Senior Men’s National Championship, larruping Tripura 9-0 at the  Major Dhyan Chand Stadium in Lucknow on Sunday.

The Odisha outfit shot into the lead in the ninth minute through Ashish Anmol Minz’s field goal. Ashish made the mincemeat of the Tripura defence slamming three more goals and he was aided by William Xalxo, who scored three goals with Banamali Xess and Roshan Minz netting a goal each.

With this win, Hockey Gangpur, Odisha lead the pool table with 12 points from four matches.

Earlier, Puducherry tasted its first win clubbing Assam 11-1 in in a Pool C match. Another debutant side Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) gleaned full points edging out Kerala 2-1 in Pool D.

India selection not in my hands, says midfielder Gurbaj Singh

This piece was published in Stick2hockey.com

Making a comeback to the national team is never a piece of cake given the cut-throat competition for places. Staying positive and slogging out the hard yards are the best things a player can do in such a scenario. Out-of-favour Indian midfielder Gurbaj Singh is striving hard to let his performances do the talking and at the same time keep his chin up.

The 25-year-old Punjab lad, who has made more than 150 international appearances, dished out a power-packed performance in the recently-concluded Hero Hockey India League for 2014 champions Delhi Waveriders, winning the coveted Man of the Match award twice (against Kalinga Lancers and Uttar Pradesh Wizards).

Gurbaj indeed played his part in ensuring the Cedric D’Souza-coached Delhi outfit clinched its maiden HIL crown after finishing second-best to Ranchi Rhinos in the inaugural edition last year. “I’m elated to have contributed to Delhi Waveriders’s 2014 HIL triumph. I just enjoyed myself on the pitch and was happy with my showing. Hockey is a team game and every team member chipped in – all the strategizing by our coach and the team management really worked well for us,” Gurbaj said candidly in an exclusive interview.

The sturdy centre-half last wore the national blue jersey in the 2012 London Olympics, where India settled for a worst-ever wooden spoon finish. In fact, Gurbaj is among four players (skipper Bharat Chettri, Ignace Tirkey and Tushar Khandker being the other three) from the 16-member London Olympics squad ignored thereafter.

The Punjab Police DSP attributes his good run in the 2nd Hero Hockey India League to months of sustained training before the commencement of the event. “I have been regularly playing in departmental tourneys and keeping myself match-fit. Tournament or no tournament I always do my own training with utmost sincerity,” he quipped.

Has he done enough to merit a call-up to the Indian team for the 2014 World Cup? Gurbaj chooses his words carefully. Look, to be picked in the national side is not in my control. I can only do what is in my control – stay fit and perform. I’m extremely passionate about hockey and it hasn’t changed one bit just because I’m out of the national team. I’m ready to serve my country whenever an opportunity comes along.”

Gurbaj, who led the Indian junior team to Asia Cup glory in 2008, was at his flowing best in the 2nd HIL controlling the midfield, orchestrating searing runs from the flanks and essaying razor-sharp crosses, creating openings for the forwardline as well as stonewalling the opposition raids with immaculate defending. “Our coach Cedric D’Souza focused a lot on our defence. Tightening our defence was one of our game plans and it worked to a nicety for us. Our coach really got the best out of our players and he deserves all the credit for our HIL glory,” he gushed.

Gurbaj made his senior international debut against Bangladesh in the 2006 Doha Asian Games. He gradually became an integral part of the national team. He was part of the Indian team which made a podium finish in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup for four consecutive years. Gurbaj was a member of the national team, which won the gold in the 2009 and 2010 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup besides garnering a silver and bronze in the 2008 and 2007 editions respectively. He was also named in Asian All Stars XI in 2010.

Surely two stints in the HIL must have done a world of good to his game since he has been out of the national reckoning.“Definitely it has helped to raise my game by a few notches. Playing alongside guys like Oskar Deecke, Nicolas Jacobi, Simon Child and Lloyd Norris-Jones, Matt Ghodes and Sardar Singh always gives you an opportunity to learn so much tactic-wise and skill-wise. I can only getter better in future,” says the midfielder who is a product of Jalandhar-based Ramesh Chander Hockey Academy.

Only time will tell if Gurbaj has done ‘enough’ to attract the attention of the selectors and boards the flight to The Hague for the Rabobank 2014 World Cup.