Thursday June 21, 2012
Indian star Sardar Singh keen to play in MHL
By AFTAR SINGH
KUALA LUMPUR: India’s Sardar Singh, rated as one of the world’s best defenders, is keen to play in the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) scheduled to start in October.
Sardar, who has 150 international caps, said he had heard many interesting things about the MHL which is regarded as one of Asia’s top leagues.
“Many Indian and Pakistani players have featured in the MHL and that shows its quality,” said Sardar, who is a deputy superintendent of police in Haryana state.
“It provides good competition for players like me, who can play in any position. I’m willing to play for any team interested in signing me on.”
Among the top Indian players who have featured in the MHL are 1975 World Cup skipper Ajitpal Singh, Pargat Singh, Jude Felix, Mukesh Khanna and Len Aiyappa.
Sardar said his main priority now is to help India finish among the top six in the Olympics.
The Punjab-born Sardar, an accomplished all-rounder, was named in the International Hockey Federation (FIH) All Stars team the last two years.
The lanky player matured from a forward to centre-half, a position he relished before he was asked to become a defender.
He was also named as the best player in the recent Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh.
Sardar, who is the vice-captain of the Indian team, has good dribbling skills and an eye for goal.
India, ranked 10th in the world, stunned No. 4 Britain 3-1 to finish third in the tournament.
Sardar, who turns 26 on July 15, will lead India in the London Olympics where they are drawn in Group B with Germany, Holland, South Korea, New Zealand and Belgium.
Group A comprises defending champions Australia, Spain, Britain, Argentina, Pakistan and South Africa.
India, eight-time Olympic champions, last won the gold in Moscow 1980.
- Chong Wei urges team-mates to bounce back from shock defeat to Taiwan
- Koo-Tan’s stunning loss rocks Malaysian camp
- Danial shatters 100m mark as four records fall on opening day
- Kien Keat-Boon Heong may not play in Group C tie against Germany
- Sindhu shines for India after spectacular performance
- Golf: Johnson triumphs by one stroke at Mobile Bay LPGA
- Wee Wern relishes playing at unique venue ... a football stadium
- Dani reigns in Le Mans
- KLHC to the fore again
- Kjaersfeldt ready to continue strong Danish tradition
- Sarawakian Daniel makes a winning return from injury
- ‘Comeback king’ Timothy lands his second title
- Pistorius rules out track return this year - report
- Seven more Al Zarooni horses test positive
- Lowe reunited with Hamilton at Mercedes
- F1 tyre changes to be less dramatic than feared
- Golf: Johnson triumphs by one stroke at Mobile Bay LPGA
- Results worldwide
- Bradley clings to lead in Texas with surging Korean one stroke adrift
- Classy Williams sweeps Azarenka aside in final
RSS
