We don't want coaches who lick players' boots: IHF

Indian Hockey Federation chief KPS Gill said players not co-operating with the coach will be kicked out.

The beleaguered Indian hockey coach Gerhard Rach on Friday received a vote of confidence from the Indian Hockey Federation chief KPS Gill who said that there was nothing wrong with his tactics which may not have found favour with seniors because "he does not lick the boots of players".

HT Image

Gill said the coach could draw up a strategy but it was the responsibility of the players to execute it and those not co-operating with the coach have no place in the team.

"There was nothing wrong with the tactics, it was proved with our victory against Korea today. We don't want coaches who lick the boots of the players. We want coaches who want discipline and who can make the players work hard," Gill said in an interview.

"The players have to implement the tactics. The coach cannot go and score the goals for the team. He can guide you but the players on the field have to do the job," he said.

The IHF supremo also made it clear that he would not tolerate indiscipline in the team and would not hesitate to crack the whip on those players flouting the code of conduct.

"Hockey is a team game and nobody is above the game. We will not tolerate any indicipline," he said.

Gill, however, said the federation was not contemplating taking disciplinary action against players like Dhanraj Pillay and Prabhjot Singh for openly criticising the tactics of Rach during the tournament though it had taken a strong view on the issue.