HOCKEY Manager Says Indian Team’s Itinerary “Impossible”

Press, Volume C, Issue 29526, 30 May 1961, Page 15

HOCKEY Manager Says Indian Team’s Itinerary “Impossible”

WELLINGTON, May 29. The itinerary for the Indian Wanderer* hockey touring team was “impossible," said the manager, Mr Gurnharin Singh, on arrival by air in Wellington this evening. He had had no reply to his request for the programme to be eased, he

said. Mr Gurnharin. a distinguished figure who has made two previous tours of New Zealand, claimed that the 28 matches in the tour were four more than was possible. He said that three matches in any week should be the maximum, with only one other match in the week of a test match. The Indians play four matches before the first Test

(New Zealand Press Assoctatloi in Auckland on Monday, and another three in the same week. Before each of the second and third Tests they play matches on the Monday. Tuesday and Wednesday. They play four matches every week. Mr Gurnharin said that the sudden effect of cold temperatures and possible muddy grounds could easily “cripple" the team, considering its heavy programme. Hamstrung injuries to legs had plagued other Indian sides. However, the team could only do its best, and hope to finish the tour, he said. (Mr Gurnharin Singh’s comments were referred in Christchurch last evening to Mr A. D. Holland, chairman of the New Zealand Hockey Association's management

committee. Mr Holland said he would offer no comment until the complaint had been referred to committee members. 1 Six Olympic Player* The Indian team contains a nucleus of six Olympic Games representatives, many of the remaining players being included for experience. P. Jagatinder is the only player who toured with the last Indian side. The team's co-manager. Mr Tgbal. a member of the Indian Parliament, will join the team on Thursday. The team Is sponsored by the Punjab Farmers' Sports Association, and 10 players are sons of farmers. The players will wear blue shirts and blazers, instead of the maroon colours of previous trips The side was about the same strength as the 1938 tourists bqt not quite as strong as the 1955 team, said Mr Gurnharin. He said that it was not a "selected" side, and that the test matches would be unofficial. He was doubtful about the outcome of the test match on Monday, but considered the Indians likely to win unless the conditions were heavy. “Stickwork Superior” Mr Gurnharin acknowledged the rise of international hockey outside India and Pakistan, but claimed Indian stickwork was still superior. "Other countries can win matches from India.” he said. “But India will head other countries for 50 years as far as stickwork is concerned."

The Indians played four matches in Australia, winning 7-0, 16-2. 6-1. and 3-0. The last win was achieved against the New South Wales Border side in "impossible wet conditions.

“The goalkeeper's pads will take a week to dry." Mr Gurnharin said.