Former Pakistan hockey skipper Tahir Zaman today rued the absence of his country's players from the Hockey India League, starting in two days' time, and felt their inclusion would have added lustre to the tournament.
"It would have been good had Pakistan players played in the league. I would request Hockey India to include Pakistani players in HIL (in future). They would add colour to the tournament," said Zaman at a media conference held here by the league's broadcast partners Star Sports.
Zaman, who is the coach of the Pakistan national team, as well as former India skipper Viren Rasquinha spelt out the benefits of HIL for subcontinental style hockey.
"Hockey needs proper projection like cricket. The European coaches have researched deeply into the game over the years and have gone ahead. HIL provides that opportunity for the subcontinent coaches," said Zaman who is to do studio-based expert comments in Hindi during the league like Rasquinha (in English).
Rasquinha felt that HIL would be serving its purpose if it throws up 3-4 new players every year who are good enough to play for India.
"The skills of Indian and Pakistani kids are superior than others but to do well at the international level many more things are needed like strategy, physical fitness etc. What I learnt as a 15-year-old is still being taught by Indian coaches. We have to move ahead (in coaching)," said Rasquinha.
The 33-year-old former player also agreed to a suggestion that international hockey tournaments need to be taken to cities and centres other than Delhi by Hockey India to attract more interest in the game.
