Ashok Dhyan Chand calls for India’s ‘supremacy in Asia’

New Delhi, Dec 18 (UNI-Priya Negi) Former hockey player Ashok Kumar, son of legendary Dhyan Chand, on Saturday said that India “should have supremacy in Asia” after winning the historic bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics.
India senior team is currently competing at the Asian Champions Trophy in Dhaka. The team is sitting at the top of the table with seven points from three matches.
“India will hopefully win it. In Asia, it is important for us to dominate because if we have won (bronze) at Olympics then we should have our supremacy in Asia. And we have that opportunity in the coming matches,” Ashok told UNI on the sidelines of National Sports Assembly event here at India Habitat Centre.
Arjuna awardee Ashok, however, feels he can’t see depth in the team which was there during the Tokyo Olympics 2020.
“I can’t see that depth in the team which should be there especially after playing Olympics Games.
“That class is missing. No doubt we are winning. We got our first goal through only one penalty corner and that too we were awarded. We were good against Pakistan,” he added.
When asked about India’s performance at the concluded Junior Men’s World Cup, Olympian Ashok said India lacked spirit, right direction and appreciation within the team.
“Had these weaknesses been not there, we would have won it (tournament).
“Our weakness got exposed against France when we lost to them twice. I regret that happened.
“Winning and losing is part of the game but losing twice when we were already tested in the first game that was upsetting.
“Our team lacked the right direction and appreciation which was there in the senior team at the Olympics.
“That was the missing piece of the jigsaw in the junior team.
“When a player plays, automatically there is an urge to do something which you can call spirit that was lacking in the junior team.
“Team wasn’t bad but yes they were technically weak. The placements and instructions are done during the match but we lacked in that too,” he said.
Today, youngsters suffer from depression and ultimately end their life after facing setbacks. In last four months, four state-level shooters Khushseerat Kaur Sandhu, Hunardeep Singh Sohal, Namanveer Singh Brar and Konica Layak died by suicide.
Ashok, while expressing grief over the untimely demise of young minds, said, “Athletes go through depression when they are not selected or when they lose.
“Even when we used to lose, we used to be upset and say things like ‘what is the use of playing’. So yes, depression comes in.
“Depression is a natural thing. It’s god’s blessing that we laugh and that we suffer from depression. When we feel bad or when something is taken from us, we feel depressed. Sports is also part of life but it helps us to overcome depression with discipline.
“If we don’t win today maybe we will win tomorrow,” he said.
Giving a recent example, he added: “At this Tokyo Olympics, so many kids from so many states worked hard to reach there be it swimmers, judo players, or from any other field.
“And when they lost in the first round how they broke into tears that is the time when there commitment to the game should help them move on to next challenge. They should hope for tomorrow.”
Ashok said “depression is a natural thing” but it can be overcome with commitment to the game and by working hard for the next challenge.
The 71-year-old opened about the days when he too suffered from depression, saying that he used to cry when India missed gold medal at the 1973 World Cup.
India lost to the Netherlands in the shoot out (2-4) after the game was deadlocked at 2-2.
“My life’s biggest drawback was 1973 World Cup which we had to win. Unfortunately, after two-goal lead it was drawn. In extra time too it was at equal level but suddenly in death minutes we got a penalty stroke but missed it and eventually we lost that (in penalties by 2-4).
“After that match, apart from crying we could do nothing. Whenever I used to recall it, I used to cry that we missed gold medal.
“It took so many evenings to get over it.
“Things like ‘had we done that we would have netted one goal; had I struck a penalty stroke it would have been a goal; when I gave the pass had the player played a reverse shot it would have been a goal — all these things crossed my mind.
“But we need to get over it with our hard work for next challenge. And we did that and got over it.”
When asked about whether youngsters are guided properly or not, Ashok said kids today are unable to figure out the right path which would lead them to their goals.
He added that people in position should make paths for youngsters.
“I’ve been associated with the game for so many years. I’ve interacted with youngsters too. In those conversations, I realised our youth are not guided in the right direction.
“They are unable to figure out the right path and where to play and display their talent.
“We have to make these paths clearer for them and give them wings to fly.
“I believe government is doing so much but at basic level.
“At the meet today we discussed how to bring kids into the fold, those who are already part of it need resources, and how to monitor those who have access to resources,” he signed off.