Prabhjot Singh is no stranger to hockey fans. The mercurial forward has shown his brilliance and exuberance on countless occasions, bailing his team out of precarious situations. He once formed a famous trio with his Punjab team-mates Gagan Ajit Singh and Deepak Thakur and has won many a battle for India in the past.
However, Prabhjot has been in and out of the team since the Athens Olympics, for reasons that have more to do with his relationship with the authorities than with his form and fitness. Having fallen out of favour with the selectors, the wily forward last wore the national colours at the 2010 World Cup. What was more painful for the Arjuna Award winner was that he was not even considered for the camps held before many international tournaments after the World Cup.
Now the prolific forward has been called up for the lucrative World Series Hockey (WSH), and he is confident of putting on a good show in the tournament.
In an interview with Shraddha Bagdwal of Indian Sports News, he talks about WSH, Indian hockey and more. Excerpts:
ISN: You have been called up to take part in WSH. How does it feel to be part of a new and innovative concept like WSH?
Prabhjot: I am very happy to be part of WSH. It is one of a kind, the first league in which all the hockey stars will play together. It will provide a lot of opportunities for junior hockey players to show their talent and will also help them gain experience from senior players and foreign coaches.
ISN: How do you think WSH will benefit the cause of Indian hockey?
Prabhjot: WSH is a concept that will run on parallel lines with the IPL. Just as the IPL has changed the fortunes of so many cricketers, WSH will do the same for upcoming hockey players. It will bring players into the limelight.
ISN: Do you think WSH is here to stay, or will it meet the same fate as the PHL?
Prabhjot: The whole concept of the PHL was good, but WSH is much better. The concept of WSH is different from the PHL and it will provide opportunities to players. From what I see, it will stay and change the face of Indian hockey.
ISN: It has been more than a year and a half since you were last in the international arena. How tough has it been for you?
Prabhjot: It has indeed been very tough. But there is not much I can do about it. I am ready and fit to play for the national side again, but my comeback looks grim as I have associated myself with WSH. They will never call me back.
ISN: How well prepared do you think you are for WSH?
Prabhjot: I am fully prepared for it and have worked hard on my fitness. Domestic tournaments like the Nehru Hockey tournament are giving me good match practice before WSH. I am eagerly waiting for it to begin.
ISN: Do you think you still have it in you to make it to the national side?
Prabhjot: Yes, of course. I still have two to three years of hockey left in me. I am experienced and have performed well wherever I have played. So it is for the authorities to think and decide.
