Indian Hockey team captain Bharat Chettri, in a rendezvous with Ronisha Bhattacharyya of ‘Indian Sports News’ talks about the team’s current position in terms of fitness and technique, and how the team is all in a mood to nail the London Olympics. EXCERPTS:

ISN: With the Olympics just around the corner, what is the present status of the team? Are we all prepared for ‘D’ day?

Bharat: Our boys are training hard and I think by Olympics we should be all fine and raring to go. However we are trying hard to focus on our defence, our attacking is good, but we are practicing in all the spheres.

ISN: Michael Nobbs has opted for a 48-member team in the probables’ list. Why a 48-member team and do you think it is a wise decision?

Bharat: The 48-member team is because we wanted a proper back up. Also you must note that 15 to 20 sportsmen in the team are from the under-21 league, if they camp with us, they would know the technique of the game well and will eventually learn from us. Also they will train very well for the upcoming Junior Hockey World Cup that will also happen in some time. And as far as the decision is concerned, I think it is a very good step.

ISN: Nobbs had mentioned that in the qualifiers against Singapore, the team could have dragged the 15 -0 score to an atleast 25, do you think it could have been done? If yes, then what was lacking?

Bharat: Yes, we could have reached the 25 radar quite easily. However we couldn’t because firstly it was our first match and we all had our share of apprehensions and secondly even if we know that every team is strong, at the back of the mind we knew that we were playing Singapore and hence it was also the mindset. But yeah we could have stretched it quite easily.

ISN: Right now we have a great team, we have drag flickers like Sandeep Singh and V Raghunath. How are we going to make them play to the team’s advantage?

Bharat: Sandeep Singh as per my opinion is world’s best drag flicker and the quickness he has, I don’t think anyone else could have that skill, plus our boy Raghunath is also playing and pushing really hard. Both of them are playing competitively and I think it would be great if we all play like this.

ISN: Just yesterday, Prabhjot Singh mentioned that he doesn’t find any major difference in the coaching styles of Nobbs and Brasa, do you second his opinion?

Bharat: Well, Brassa taught us the European style of hockey. It was good but we would take time to score, as it was slightly slow attack, but with Michael we play attacking hockey. We are constantly looking at scoring and we just don’t want to give up, so there is a difference and yes, attacking hockey is interesting and good.

ISN: One off beat question sir, all the boys train hard the whole day, what do you all do for re-creation? Anything specific that you all do?

Bharat: Oh, we all listen to music, I listen to Hindi music, and we also go and grab some fresh air when we aren’t training, so yeah that’s all we do.

ISN: What do you want to convey to our readers? Anything specific before the Olympics?

Bharat: Well, I want all the people to pray for us so that we play well; also, we want all the people to support us, so that we do well in our games, and I’m very hopeful we will nail the Olympics.