IHF confident of turnaround at Doha, eyes Olympic berth

Chennai, Nov 29 (UNI) Omitted medio Viren Rasquinha's criticism notwithstanding, Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) secretary K Jothikumaran insists this is the best available squad and said India would be eyeing the Gold in Doha Asian Games, more so because it would also earn the team an Olympic berth.

Unperturbed by the criticism for Rasquinha's omission, Mr Jothikumaran said the Asian Games squad was picked strictly in accordance with the fitness as an important factor.

Talking to UNI here before leaving for Doha, the official, also the technical officer for the hockey competition at Doha, said IHF President K P S Gill, who is also chairman of the selection committee, had watched the rigorous fitness tests to which the players were put through in New Delhi.

He said the IHF was confident that the team would finish in the first two places at least and qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

''But the aim is to regain the Gold, which the team had last won in 1998 at Bangkok,'' he said, adding ''the Federation is confident that the team is capable of achieving this.

''We have picked the best available 16-member squad and sent them Doha after the final trials,'' he said, adding the comparative fitness level of the players was taken into account before announcing the team.

He said the Doha squad is well balanced.

''Adequate attention has also been paid to the chronic weakness of the team and conversion of penalty corners at the preparatory camp.

''The preparation for the Doha Games was systemetic,'' he added.

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