Siddharth Mayur Pandey is upset. For the first time, one of the traditional teams of Bangladesh, Abahani Limited, faced a major setback in the Super Six. After a draw with Mohammedan, the current champions lost to Mariner Youngs for the second time in this season’s Premier League. However, the young coach from Mumbai, India has not given up hope of the title yet. The 36-year-old coach has highlighted various aspects of his career to the Bengali Tribune before the Eid holiday.
Bengali Tribune: Let’s start with the league. Abahani has coached you with high hopes. The start was not bad. However, the title dream is going to disappear after Mohammedan came to the Super Six and got bumped by the Mariners.
Siddhartha: You can say that. But I’m not giving up hope yet. There are three important matches ahead. If you win all the matches then you have to look at the other team. If luck helps, we can be champions.
That’s a lot of if-buts…
Siddhartha: Yes, there is nothing to do now. We were ahead of the attack. Even after getting a chance to score, the goal is not coming that way. If the finish is bad, it is difficult to get points. Two of our players are good – Arfan and Sesay. The other two are not standard. Atleast playing against a team like Mohammedan-Mariners requires more quality players.
Watching Premier League of Bangladesh. What do you think about the quality of play?
Siddhartha: Four or five teams are pretty good here. There is a title fight between them. The rest are average. At least one thing I feel good about coaching at Abahani is that the boys are very eager to learn. Especially among the relatively young. But I heard that the league is held for many days. In order to surpass India-Pakistan in hockey, at least the league should be regularized and the game should be kept on the field throughout the year. Besides, there are other advantages.
how is that
Siddhartha: A team like this needs at least six coaches. There are head coaches, assistants and video analysts among them. I came here and saw that there is no such thing. But it is necessary to improve. I have to watch the video sitting in the hotel. There is another side to the players. It doesn’t match easily (laughs…).
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The way players are getting benefits in India is not the same in Bangladesh. India has progressed a lot through Pro League. Do you think so?
Siddhartha: Yes, of course it is. A player in India does not have to worry about livelihood. There are job opportunities in government or private sector. Academy is there. There are other benefits. Due to which many players are coming out. And hockey has improved a lot with the pro league. India is now ranked first in Asia and third in the world.
Many people including India’s legendary Dhanraj Pillai and Dilip Turke have played in Bangladesh. Surely heard?
Siddhartha: why not listen I came to Dhaka for the first time to report on the Asia Cup a few years ago. I heard that stars like Pillai had played before coming here. Played in this Abahani. Pillai is currently working as an officer of Laxman Academy in Bangalore. As far as I know it is his own academy. talk to me That’s all! Another Pakistani legend Shahbaz Ahmed also played for Mohammedan. I think that if practiced properly, Bangladeshi hockey will show its power not only in Asia but also in the world.
Let’s talk about your playing career. Played as a defensive midfielder in the national under-21 team. Why didn’t the career progress after that?
Siddhartha: In fact, I was injured at that time. Besides, I realized that moving forward was difficult. So I turned to coaching at a young age. Now I am doing International Hockey Federation recognized level IV course. Working as Head Coach at Champions Training Center in Mumbai. Many have trained under me, including Valmiki, who played in the Olympics there.
Apart from coaching you regularly commentate on other channels including Star Sports…
Siddhartha: Yes, I do it regularly. You can also call it my hobby. Not only hockey, but in other sports including badminton, football, I provide commentary in other languages including English and Hindi if necessary. Remuneration is higher there than coaching.
You live in Mumbai. Heard Shah Rukh Khan got close during the shooting of Chak De India based on hockey?
Siddhartha: Yes, you heard right. Actually the story of Chak De India revolves around my uncle Ranjan Negi. He is also a former hockey player. During the shooting in Mumbai, I also went to the shooting spot with my uncle. I was in college then. In 2007.
As I am also a player. The film is about hockey. So I did not miss the opportunity. Uncle helped them a lot during the shooting of the film. That’s why I went there. I got a chance to speak with Shahrukh Khan there. Actually speaking to Shah Rukh Khan I saw love for the game in him.
He also played football and hockey as a student. I heard it from his own mouth.
Let’s come back to the topic of Bangladesh. Come here, which side do you like?
Siddhartha: I liked the kacchi biryani here. I eat when I get a chance. People are all sincere. However, Dhaka’s traffic jam is sometimes unbearable. Do not want to run! There is a lot of jam in Mumbai. But not so much like Dhaka.
You are in Mumbai on Eid holidays..
Siddhartha: Yes, I’m on vacation. I will go back again on April 12.
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