Indian hockey legend Dhanraj Pillay says that he wants to see Pakistan hockey flourish because Pakistan and India’s hockey is visible to the world.
In an exclusive interview to Geo News in Bangalore, Dhanraj Pillai said that both the teams have been playing artistic hockey, hockey was the identity of both the countries.
He said that he is still in touch with Pakistan hockey players, the late goalkeeper Mansoor Ahmed was like his brothers and also has an old friendship with Shahbaz Ahmed, he was quite an impressive player.
‘I want to see Pakistan’s hockey at the top’
The former hockey captain, who played more than 300 international matches for India, said that I want to see Pakistan’s hockey at the top. Play a role in the support of hockey, the world wants Pakistan and India to play hockey.
‘Pakistan and India’s identity was hockey’
Dhanraj Pillai said that the identity of India and Pakistan was hockey, in sports both countries were recognized by hockey, both countries had one player each, Pakistan had very big names, only two penalty specialists in this era. One was Sohail Abbas and the other was Bolander. I still remember that the hockey of Pakistan and India was very great. When both played against each other, the whole world watched. Both teams used to play artistic hockey. Times have changed today. Other teams have started playing different hockey.
To a question, Dhanraj Pillai said that in whatever game Pakistan and India compete, the competition is quite tough, the match between Pakistan and India gives the game an identity.
He said that hockey academies have become enough in India from which new players are coming, Harmanpreet Singh has also come out of the academy, India has done a lot of work on the grassroots, due to which the result is getting. I pray that Pakistan’s hockey will rise again.
He said that for the improvement of hockey in Pakistan, the private sector has to come along with the government, giving sponsorship and money to the players.
‘Relationships are damaged by making controversial statements’
Dhanraj Pillay said that there should be a Test series between Pakistan and India, we should talk about promoting the game, giving controversial statements only harms relations, I wish the whole world would see the hockey of Pakistan and India, both Play a hockey test against each other.
‘If Shahbaz Ahmed got his hair then no one could touch it again’
About his relationship with Pakistani players, Dhanraj Pillai said that I had the best friendship with Mansoor Ahmed, he treated me like his younger brother, always encouraged me, treated me like a younger brother instead of a junior. I had a good friendship with Shahbaz Ahmed, I used to watch his videos of how he used to carry the ball, once he got the ball, no one could touch it again, Shahbaz was a great player. I also liked Farhat Khan a lot.
‘Pakistan team suddenly collapsed while playing well against India’
On a question, the Indian hockey legend said that he is also following cricket, Pakistan is playing well in the World Cup, playing well against India, suddenly piled up, but one thing is that if the players are not in a match. They should not be discouraged if they can go, all the players are good, I would say to everyone, play for your country and play your good game.
Dhanraj Pillay said that once you get down on the ground, then you should not think about what the spectators are saying and what is happening outside the field, it is courage to play against the opposing crowd, Rohit in the match against Pakistan. Sharma also led well.
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