Modernise your hockey: FIH to India, Pakistan
India and Pakistan should "patiently" modernise their style of hockey as "playing from the heart" will not get them anywhere.
India and Pakistan should "patiently" modernise their style of hockey as "playing from the heart" will not get them anywhere, says International Hockey Federation (FIH) president Elsvan Breda.
She delivered the homily to a reporter of The News at the Olympic Games in Athens, the newspaper reported on Friday.
"My message for both Pakistan and India is that they should be more patient," Breda said.
Pakistan and India both failed to reach the semi-finals of the Olympic hockey tournament as European powerhouses Holland, Germany and Spain joined Australia in the last four.
The FIH chief pointed out that over the years, hockey had become very sophisticated and just "playing from the heart" cannot guarantee a team a medal at major competitions like the Olympic Games and the World Cup.
"If you look at teams like Holland and Germany, they have been working on their players for years, using scientific means to enhance the quality of their game, their fitness, skills and strategy.
"You've got to have video analysts and specialist coaches working for years with the same players and then expect good results," Breda contended.