Back in contention for the Olympics, mercurial forwardDhanraj Pillay tried to downplay the controversy surrounding his strainedrelations with teammates that almost scuttled his dream of playing in a recordfourth Olympics.
"Every player is supporting me and I am supportingthem," Pillay said emphatically at the National Stadium where the 26probables have been undergoing training for the Athens Games.
Pillay was sidelined by the Indian Hockey Federationfor three four-nation tournaments after he pulled out of the team for theOlympic qualifiers in March alleging some players were "talking behindme."
But today, the 35-year-old player appeared quite upbeatabout getting another chance to represent the country in his fourth Olympics andhe promised to make it memorable by winning a medal for the country.
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"It's a dream for me to play in the Olympics andGod has given me a chance to play in my fourth Olympics. Definitely with thisteam, I am very much sure that we can beat any team in the world. We can alsowin a medal," he said.
The veteran of over 300 internationals, Pillay alsospoke on the training and competition programmes scheduled for the team in thebuild-up to the mega event.
India will leave for the United States on June 2 for a 21-day training programmethat would see the probables getting specialised training from expert Germancoaches -- Oliver Kurtz and Gerhard Rach.
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The team will have camps in Holland, Germany and Athensbesides playing two four-nation tournaments in Amsterdam and Dusseldorf in thelead-up to the quadrennial extravaganza.
"The foreign coaches will be of great benefit. Wewill be getting scientific training which will definitely help us a lot. They(coaches) can help us in some areas. The tournament will prepare us for the megaevent," Pillay said.
The player said despite all the training, India'sfortunes in the Olympics would depend largely on how the players preparedthemselves.
"The more we work hard, the better results we willget," was his advice to teammates.
"We are confident of doing well in the Olympics.But at the same time we also need a lot of support from the people. I requestall to pray for the team."
Pillay also indicated he might decide on his future --whether to continue playing at the highest level or hang his boots -- after hisreturn from Athens.
"Right now my aim is to play in the Olympics.After returning I will have a detailed discussion with the (Indian Hockey)Federation.
PTI
