Sport

From a badminton coach to hockey trainer

CHENNAI: Of all the accolades being heaped on the Indian team after its fine performance in the Asia Cup hockey championship thus far, a fair amount should reach Ganguly Prasad, the physical trainer.

Prasad has been a badminton coach for nearly 17 years and has guided Aparna Popat, P. Gopi Chand among others to great heights in the racquet sport. Appointed during the camp for the Sultan Azlan Shah tournament early this year, Prasad was initially reluctant to take up the job.

“I hesitated because hockey is a different ball game altogether. But Joaquim (Carvalho) offered me full support,” explains Prasad. He has since nicely settled into his new job and has gained the players’ confidence in quick time. The manner in which India matched wits with a supremely fit South Korean team in the Asia Cup was proof enough.

What changes has he tried to make in the team? Prasad doesn’t reveal much expect saying that the players have been willing to take heavy loads of work. “I haven’t seen even a badminton player shouldering so much of load.”

His stint began with training the goalkeepers in Bangalore during the camp for the Azlan Shah tournament. Impressed with his work, other players, too, joined. Constant feedback from the coach spurred Prasad on. “I am really enjoying it.”

Has he incorporated anything from badminton? “Each sport has its similarities and differences. Hockey is a sport where a bunch of players with different physical fitness have to co-ordinate well. You have to understand each players individual fitness levels and train them accordingly,” Prasad remarked.

Prasad will, most probably, travel with the team for the Olympic qualifier. “It will reduce the work load on me,” said Carvalho. His love for badminton, however, remains as strong as ever. “I would like to train some of my badminton players with the Indian hockey team. They will get motivated,” he said.

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