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."
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Gill saw India's qualification to play in the Champions Trophy -- direct or by default -- as a confirmation that the teamhad been performing consistently at the highest level.
"We are consistently qualifying for the Champions Trophy, which is played between the six best teams in the world," Gill said. India, whose best finish in the elite event was a bronze medal over two decades back, made it to the last edition in Lahore after Australia pulled out at the last moment on security grounds.
For this year's champions Trophy, to be held in Chennai, India get an automatic berth being the hosts.
Gill also tried to find fault with the government and said financial crisis was affecting promotion of the game thoughthe IHF was doing enough on its part.
"We are encouraging opening of more and more academies, which are coming up. Some are being supported by public sectors and some others bythe private sector," Gill said.
"But infrastructure is terribly inadequate. To think hockey is our national game and we have only one floodlit stadium in the country.
"We are constantly approaching the government. They have their limitations. Finances are a hurdle."
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Gill, whose fate as IHF's next president is in a sealed envelope as per a Delhi High Courtorder, declined to comment on his attempt to retain power for a fourth term.
"The matter is sub-judice, so I can't say anything on it," he said when asked why he contestedwhen on a number of occasions he had said he would not run for another term.
PTI
