Indian Hockey Federation President K.P.S. Gill does not see any reason to feel "despondent" about the performance of the national team in recent times.
Even a poor fifth-place finish in the just-concluded Azlan Shah Cup was hailed by the IHF supremo, who said the team deserved to play for the bronze medal.
Gill said given the circumstances, the side did "fairly well" in the Azlan Shah Cup and should have beaten teams like Australia, Pakistan and New Zealand.
"Some of the regulars were missing due to injury and some could not be picked because they were suspended on disciplinary grounds," Gillsaid in the Capital.
"Simultaneously a training camp for the junior World Cup players is going on in Hyderabad. Altogether nine players who play regularly for the senior team are attending the camp. Theyall are vital players.
"We had to induct other youngsters with many of them playing their first international tourmament. They did quite well," the IHF chief said.
When asked why the team has not been able to win a title since the Afro-Asian Games in 2003, Gill said "I have my views on this. But thisis not the right forum to talk on the issue."