Bengaluru: The Indian men’s hockey team has been spending time in a bio-secure environment in SAI. The team had been living in this environment since August this year after a six-week break. Living in a bubble where the players are not been permitted to be out of particular zones can be difficult but team forward Gurjant highlights the positive aspects of it.
“It is not easy going about a set routine and living in a bio-bubble where moving around out of the permitted zones within the campus is prohibited. The rules are followed to the T and these circumstances can be challenging for any player. We couldn’t have done it without the team-bonding we share and the support we have received from the Coaching Staff who themselves have not stepped out of the Campus since the last nine months. They have become our family away from home,” expressed Gurjant.
The forward, who was a part of the FIH Junior Men’s World Cup in 2016 emphasizes that this period has given him the scope to learn from his seniors and focus on the areas which he needs to pay more attention to.
“I think as Chief Coach Graham says, we need to make the most of the situation and utilize this time off competition to introspect about our own game. I have in these past months tried to pinpoint the areas I am not up to the mark and I have also been speaking to other forwards in the group about right positioning and timing. Players like Sunil, Akashdeep, Ramandeep have all been quite helpful in this regard,” he said.
Being a part of the Indian team for the FIH Hockey Pro League earlier in the year, Gurjant feels that playing with a bit more of an accurate game can help him to book a regular spot on the national team. “Playing against top teams like Belgium and the Netherlands was great exposure for me. I feel there is more that I can do in order to improve and execute my role to perfection. These next few months will be important for me and I hope I can prove my mettle ahead of the Olympic Games,” Gurjant signed off.
