One of the strengths of the Indian hockey team is its attack from the right and incisive striker S.V. Sunil is an important member of the swift forwardline.

The alarming speed with which he goes past rival defenders and the way he delivers his stinging shots make Sunil a special player. In India’s quest for an Olympic berth, the lean forward from Coorg (Karnataka) is all set to play a crucial role.

After the Test series against South Africa, chief coach Michael Nobbs had underlined the value of Sunil. Nobbs had said that if the experienced Rajpal Singh had to find a place in the team, he had to replace Sunil and it was very hard considering the Karnataka player’s present form.

A player who made his debut in the 2007 Asia Cup in Chennai (where India won the title), Sunil could not make a mark until recently. A major injury in his right knee just before the 2010 World Cup forced him to take a break of one year.

IMPRESSIVE

After undergoing a surgery, he impressed everyone with his performance since returning to the international scene in the Azlan Shah Cup last year. “It was a very bad injury. I could not even climb the steps. Thanks to Dr. B.K. Nayak and physio Shrikant Iyengar, who helped me a lot in overcoming the injury,” said Sunil during an interaction, here on Wednesday.

“The Sports Authority of India also helped me by bearing Rs. 4 lakh spent on my surgery,” he added.

HIGH POINT

The Champions Challenge in Johannesburg last year was a high point of Sunil’s career. He scored four goals, the most by an Indian striker in the tournament, and created several opportunities. “Right now, I am going through my peak. However, I am working on improving my receiving skill and accuracy in scoring,” said the 24-year-old.

One of the assistant coaches in the National camp, Clarence Lobo, heaped praise on the shy forward. “He is fabulous with his raids and tires the opponent defenders out by applying constant pressure. Besides, his sharp one-touch game inside the circle is too good,” noted Lobo.

Right-out Sunil is humble enough to acknowledge the support of right-in Sarvanjit Singh and right-half Birendra Lakra on and off the pitch. “I take their advice when they make a point. I have got a good rapport with Sarvan.”

Now, Sunil hopes that he will be able to contribute a bit in India’s campaign in the Olympic qualifier.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Sports> Hockey / by Principal Correspondent / New Delhi, February 09th, 2012

New Delhi:

India hockey players feel the presence of former captain Dilip Tirkey and goalkeeper AB Subbaiah as part of the back-up staff is helping them prepare better for the 2012 London Olympics qualifiers to be held February 18-26.

Tirkey, a government observer in Hockey India (HI) selection committee, has been helping out the defenders on the essentials of tackling and recovery once beaten. Tirkey, who played in three Olympics (Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004), was one of the most competent defenders in the world because of his tight marking skill near goal post.

Tirkey has also been assigned the task of analysing the strength and the weaknesses of all the participating team in the qualifiers.

As for Subbaiah, he has been with the Indian team on and off and the two goalkeepers skipper Bharat Chhetri and P Sreejesh have been exchanging notes with the former India goal tender as he is yet to join the camp at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.

Senior player and ace drag-flicker said Tirkey’s experience is helping the team.

“Tirkey’s experience is helping us enormously as he has gone through the drill for a number of years, and we realise his knowledge of situational play is far more than what we have,” said drag-flicker Sandeep Singh.

“For instance, he has explained to us how to organise defence on a counter-attack and how to avoid panic tackling inside the striking area as a mistake there invariably leads to penalty-corner or even a more severe infringement,” he said.

“Defence is very important because of late we have conceded crucial goals under pressure. He is helping us on how to stop counters and what to do in pressure situations,” Sandeep added.

India coach Michael Nobbs said Tirkey is helping the players to fine tune with their skills.

“Dilip has joined the camp a few days back and he is taking care of the defensive line. We have brought him to fine-tune this area. In the next 4-5 days we will complete the analysis of all the participating teams,” he said.

“Penalty corner is a very important aspect in modern day hockey. They can win or lose you a game. We are getting better and better in penalty corners. We have 3-4 best drag-flickers in our team,” the Australian added.

Chettri said Tirkey’s experience is helping the team in handling pressure.

“Dilip is working hard with the defenders and his experience will be very handy. He is working on every aspect of defence,” he said.

Chettri said he is also in touch with Subbaiah.

“He is yet to join the camp but both me and Sreejesh we are in constant touch with him. We discuss the different techniques and how to keep ourself cool under pressure,” he said.

source: http://www.TimesofIndia.Indiatimes.com / Home> Sports> Hockey/ IANS / February 07th, 2012

Mahesh Bhupathi poses for photographs with some of the trainees at his centre on the outskirts of Kolkata. / PTI
Mahesh Bhupathi says the selection of the team for the upcoming London Olympics is best left to the All India Tennis Association.

“The team selection is not something to be decided by us. The AITA has to decide the best team available for the Olympics,” Bhupathi said, while visiting his academy on the outskirts of the city on Wednesday.

No comparison

When asked about how significant an addition to his Grand Slam trophies an Olympic medal would be, he said the two ought not to be compared.

“I cannot compare the two as I am yet to win an Olympic medal. But I can say that if I miss an Olympic medal but do well in the Grand Slams, I won’t call it a bad year,” he said.

Terming his recent fatherhood “a life changing experience,” Bhupathi said he was “still sinking into the feeling.”

Bhupathi said that the news of Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh being diagnosed with cancer was very disturbing. “(Yuvraj) is a great fighter. He should continue his fight against the disease. We all are praying for him,” Bhupathi said.

Bhupathi also praised his current doubles partner Rohan Bopanna saying that the latter has already proved his ability at the highest level. “He (Bopanna) has proved himself, both as a singles as well as a doubles player,” Bhupathi said. “But we still have to adapt to each other’s game. We have a long season ahead.”

Impressed by Nagal

When asked to name the future prospects of the country, Bhupathi said Yuki Bhambri and Sumit Nagal were the two to look out for.

“Somdev Devvarman is doing well, but he is not young anymore. Nagal is the brightest young talent I have seen. At his age (14) I did not even think of winning an under-18 title (which Nagal did recently in an ITF junior event in Kolkata),” Bhupathi said.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Sports> Tennis / by Prinicipal Correspondent / Kolkata, February 09th, 2012

Pune:
Giving a fillip to doubles specialists Jwala Gutta, Ashwini Ponnappa and V Diju in their bid to gain entry to the London Olympics later this year, four city-based entities have decided to support the three shuttlers.

Lakshya Institute, Avinash Bhosale Infrastructure Limited (ABIL), Shlok-Jairaj group and Panchashil have joined hands to support the trio, it was announced on Wednesday.

Jwala, a 13-time national women`s doubles champion, would be supported by ABIL. Shlok-Jairaj Group is to help Ponnappa while the Panchashil group has offered to support Diju, a media release said.

Jwala is ranked 13th in mixed doubles with Diju and 18th in women`s doubles with Ashwini. Jwala and Ashwini became the first Indian doubles pair to win a World Championship medal when the duo won the bronze last year in London.

“The probability of these players being selected for the London Olympics is very high with their current rank and achievements. We shall provide the three players with all the necessary facilities required to maintain their rankings and give their best shot for the country at the Olympics,” the release said.

“It is sponsorships such as these, I believe, (that) go a long way in contributing to the development of these young sports talent and also encourage them on the demanding path to the top. I personally love playing the game and that has fanned my interest to always do some more for the development of the game,” said Avinash Bhosale.

“Lakshya is a platform provided to young upcoming talented sportspersons from the society to do their best on the sports field without having to worry about other factors off it,” said its president Manish Jain.
PTI

source: http://www.ZeeNews.india.com / Wednesday,February 08th, 2012