Media lesson for Indian hockey team: ‘Be like Virat Kohli, not Hardik Pandya’

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Face the cameras like Virat Kohli, not Hardik Pandya. This becomes the critical thing tip given to 33 players from the central organization of the Indian hockey crew by using their countrywide governing body at a media education workshop remaining Friday in Bengaluru in which the countrywide camp is underway.

The players have also been given a list of dos and don’ts, even as they speak in public and endorse to learn from Kohli on how to deal with the media after a defeat.

They had been additionally warned in opposition to behaving like Pandya. The flamboyant all-rounder’s remarks on ladies throughout a TV display in January had induced a significant controversy. They saw him being despatched home from the tour of Australia, at the side of teammate K L Rahul.

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At Hockey India’s workshop, the players have been shown clips of the communication display. Pandya and Rahul made the remarks that had been broadly criticized as “misogynistic” and “racist.” Hockey crew assets said the players had been reminded of what’s considered sexist and racist behavior.

“Since quite a few them had been gambling domestic tournaments, they were ignorant of how severe the episode had come to be. It’s while we started discussing numerous troubles that they realized the seriousness of it and the significance of accomplishing themselves nicely,” resources stated.

The gamers had also been proven films of Kohli’s press conference after the defeat to Pakistan in the 2017 Champions Trophy final. The idea, assets stated, became to expose players how to react after losing an important match. At the same time, big tennis name Novak Djokovic’s latest speech at an award function, in which he spoke about his mindset at some stage in a droop in shape, became additionally screened.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Hockey India CEO Elena Norman said: “It is, in reality, important for hockey gamers to conduct themselves properly and be aware of the truth that they represent the Indian countrywide crew. As national players, they have a fan-following and have youngsters looking up to them.”

She said this workout has been on for more than one year to give the players “holistic education throughout essential avenues.” “However, this yr onward, we’ve got made this obligatory for all center probables, which includes junior and senior guys, and women athletes, who come to the countrywide camp… Since this is an essential duration main up to the Olympic Games in 2020, there may be certain to be greater attention on these athletes, and it’s miles vital that they may be prepared for it,” Norman said.

During the consultation, one of the senior players admitted that they feel the “stress of being amusing” while appearing on a few TV programs. “The important lesson became to not get provoked or beaten. It’s k to be funny but without crossing the line,” sources said.