Miffed Mukesh lashes out at Hockey India

Former India midfielder cries foul after being dropped as coach of junior national team.

Former India midfielder Mukesh Kumar hit out at Hockey India on Tuesday after being unceremoniously dumped as the coach of the junior national team, saying what hurt him most was the complete lack of explanation on his removal from the officials.
“This is the second time I have been insulted by the federation,” fumed Mukesh.

“The first time they brought in Harendra Singh, although I had been originally appointed chief coach for the juniors. They accommodated me after Harendra quit the camp. Now, they have brought in Baljit Saini. What is the criteria for choosing Saini?

“He was in the senior team earlier as an assistant coach. Even assuming that he is being given an opportunity, how is it that he has been preferred? I have played more than 300 internationals, three Olympics, two World Cups and two Asian Games. Isn't my experience as player more than his. I also heard M K Kaushik was being approached. He would have been a better choice,” said Mukesh.

Mukesh’s sacking comes just five months after he was appointed under controversial circumstances. Initially asked to take charge of the junior squad in September last year, the dynamic right-winger of the  1990s was quickly demoted as an assistant to Harendra. A miffed Mukesh quit the camp immediately before being reinstated when Harendra left for the ongoing World Series Hockey. Mukesh guided the team just once -- at the six-nation tournament in Johar Bahu, Malaysia, in November where India finished fourth.

“What hurts me most is that Hockey India did not even have the courtesy to inform me of the decision. When I was in New Delhi for the Olympic Qualifiers, (HI secretary-general Narinder) Batra asked me if I would like to work with the senior squad under (Michael) Nobbs or become a selector. I declined the offer, saying it would be better off if I was the coach of the junior side.

“I am very good on the skills side, and that is exactly what needs to be taught to the juniors. To be honest, I just worked for 21 days with the junior side. I can’t bring about miracles in such a short span. On what parameters have they sacked me?
“If success was the only criterion, then Nobbs should have been sacked after we lost to Belgium in the Champions Challenge final. (CR) Kumar should be dropped after failure of the women’s team in the Olympic Qualifiers. You know, it’s not fair to dump someone after just one failure. Then why me?,” questioned Mukesh.

“I realised I was no more in the picture when I tried to call HI to convey my interest in watching the recent Junior Nationals in Pune. I was keen on picking fresh talent. But there was no reply from their end. I think we have returned to the days when coaches were being changed every month. It is sad for Indian hockey.”

When contacted, Batra did not offer an explanation on why Mukesh was dropped, instead stating that the Hyderabadi had been offered a post in the Coaching and Development Committee.