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Disgusted: Former India international and current junior national coach Clarence Lobo. PIC/MiD DAY Archives

While the Indian hockey team’s failure to qualify for the Beijing Olympics has become a matter of nation-wide and to an extent global debate (restricted to hockey-playing nations only, of course), one shudders to think that it could have serious repercussions at the grass-root level too.

What motivation?

“Any player takes to a sport with the ultimate aim of one day becoming a world beater. However, given the current atmosphere and the Indian hockey team’s failure to qualify for the Olympics for the first time in history, I wonder how many takers there will be for the sport in the future,” former international and junior India coach Clarence Lobo pointed out.

Lobo is unsure if he can pick up his stick again for some time for his second division club Tata Power. “I don’t see myself holding a hockey stick again for some time at least. If I step out on the road with one in my hand now I cannot imagine the ridicule I will face,” he added.

“As a coach, I have always pointed to great Olympians like Balbir Singh, Dhanraj Pillay and in more recent times Viren Rasquinha to motivate youngsters.

“In 2005, before our junior team led by Adrian D’Souza headed for the World Cup in Rotterdam, Holland, the entire team paid a visit to India’s oldest living hockey Olympian Leo Pinto at his Bandra home. The players were in awe of the 1948 London Olympics gold medal winner and some literally fell at his feet to seek blessings.

“But now, I don’t know what motivation I can provide to any youngster who takes up hockey,” Lobo remarked.

Sorry, Adrian

Only two days before India lost to Great Britain in the Olympic Qualifier tournament in Santiago, Chile, injured goalkeeper Adrian D’Souza (top) told MiD DAY that he was looking forward to playing in Beijing.

“I’ve just about recovered from the hamstring injury and have begun to train a bit. I will soon start practice with my team (Indian Airlines),” Adrian told MiD DAY on Friday. He obviously hoped that the team would return victorious from Chile and would prove his fitness to claw his way back. Alas, that did not happen!