Former India captain Viren Rasquinha warns that an Asian Games gold could paper over deeper problems in Indian men's hockey after their disappointing World Cup campaign.
Former India hockey captain Viren Rasquinha has publicly questioned Hockey India's decision to switch the national team's jersey colour to orange, arguing that the team's identity and legacy have always been associated with blue.
The Indian hockey teams will return to their traditional blue jerseys for the upcoming Asian Games, reversing a controversial decision to switch to a saffron-coloured kit. The previous change had led to widespread criticism, internal discord within Hockey India, and even political debate, despite claims of visibility issues on blue turf.
Indian hockey teams will return to their traditional blue jerseys for the Asian Games after a controversial shift to saffron kits sparked widespread criticism and internal discord within Hockey India. The decision to revert to blue was confirmed by HI president Dilip Tirkey, who had previously questioned the saffron kit's adoption without proper approval.
'Whether they change uniforms or try to rewrite history through education policy, no matter what they do... You have seen what the youth of our country think about this...'
Congress MLA and former India Hockey Captain Pargat Singh has criticised the change in the Indian hockey team's national jersey colour from blue to saffron, alleging it reflects the BJP's mindset of 'giving everything a particular colour' and urging a focus on sports development instead.
Indian hockey vice-captain Hardik Singh stated that the new orange-coloured jersey for the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup is a 'team strategy' and a 'tactic' to avoid clashes with the blue Astroturf, a decision that has sparked controversy.
Hockey legend Dhanraj Pillay has voiced his displeasure over the Indian hockey team's decision to adopt saffron as its primary jersey colour, arguing that the blue jersey has been the sport's long-standing identity for decades.
The controversy within Hockey India over the change in the Indian teams' jersey colour has intensified, with President Dilip Tirkey demanding documents from Director General Commander RK Srivastava. The issue, coupled with unaddressed harassment complaints, has led to the Secretary General seeking an emergency Executive Board meeting, highlighting significant internal strife ahead of the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup.
The controversy within Hockey India regarding the change in the Indian teams' jersey colour has intensified. President Dilip Tirkey's deadline for Executive Director Commander RK Srivastava to submit documents explaining the decision was missed, leading to the Secretary General requesting an emergency Executive Board meeting. This issue, along with unaddressed harassment complaints, highlights significant internal strife within the organisation.
A controversy has erupted within Hockey India over the national teams' new saffron jerseys, replacing the traditional blue.
Legendary Indian hockey player P R Sreejesh has urged the men's team to ignore the ongoing jersey colour controversy and focus on ending the 50-year World Cup medal drought. He dismissed concerns about the saffron jersey, noting past colour changes, but questioned the visibility argument. Sreejesh emphasised that if players approved the change, the debate should cease, and politics should be kept out of sports. He also expressed confidence in the team's ability to perform despite the off-field distractions.
Legendary Indian hockey captain Viren Rasquinha has laid out a clear challenge for the national men's team as they set their sights on a Paris Olympics medal
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Olympic medallist Dr Vece Paes was a part of the BCCI's anti-doping programme for several years, besides also working with the Indian Davis Cup team.
Saddened by the financial hardship being faced by the hockey community amid the COVID-19 pandemic, former India captain Viren Rasquinha has raised Rs 22 lakh to be distributed as one-time benefit among players, coaches and groundsmen working at the grassroots level. The fund has been raised in just one week through a joint initiative of non-profit organisations Olympic Gold Quest, of which Rasquinha is a Director and CEO, and Go Sports Foundation. They named the initiative #LetsStickTogether.
The experienced midfielder was a surprise omission from the 16-member Indian men's hockey team for the Doha Asian Games.
Viren Rasquinha and goal-keeper Adrian D'Souza have been named to the list of 32 probables for the Sultan Azlan Shah hockey tournament
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Former India captain Viren Rasquinha is all set to make a comeback to competitive hockey with the inaugural edition of World Series Hockey to be held across the country from December 17 to January 22 next year.
Former India captain Viren Rasquinha on Tuesday gave a clarion call for all concerned in running the sport to bury their egos and stop politicking for the future of national game.
The 27-year-old from Mumbai said he would be taking a year's break from domestic and club tournaments to pursue an MBA degree at the Indian School of Business in Hyderabad.
Viren Rasquinha said it was up to the hockey federation to decide when to select him in the Indian team.
Gagan Narang's bronze at the London Olympics on Monday was India's third in shooting and eighth individual medal overall from the quadrennial extravaganza.
The ace hockey midfielder will turn out for Stuttart Kickers Hockey Club during India's off-season.
Ace defender Dilip Tirkey and goalkeeper Adrian D'Souza were omitted from the 16-member team announced on Tuesday.
"I am not as talented as Dhanraj [Pillay] and Dilip [Tirkey] so I'll have to keep fighting to keep my place in the side," said the Indian mid-fielder.
Reader Ravi Kanth spotted former India hockey player Viren Rasquinha on a flight from Mumbai to Hyderabad on December 12, 2009.
Equipped with management skills after a stint at the Indian School of Business, former hockey ace Viren Rasquinha is back to contribute to Indian sport as Chief Operations Officer (COO) of Olympic Gold Quest.
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'This is just the beginning and I have a long long way to go. I am really excited to know what more I can do in 2028 and 2032.'
'Huge disappointment that we did not qualify for our third consecutive Olympics'
'A player cannot declare herself unfit or sick. This has to be certified by the tournament doctor.'
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