Hockey: Olympics is different from test games, self-belief key for India at Tokyo, says Zafar Iqbal

Former skipper Zafar Iqbal has cautioned the Tokyo-bound Indian men’s hockey team against complacency, saying the atmosphere at the Olympics will be very different from the test events and there will be no room for slip-ups or experimentation.

With less than 30 days to go for the Tokyo Games, the Indian team is gearing up for the marquee event.

“The team is ranked 4th in the world which in itself is a great achievement. I kept an eye on their performances in the tour against Argentina, where they played well,” Iqbal was quoted as saying in a Hockey India release.

“I just have to say that the Olympic atmosphere is very different from test games. There is no room for any slip-ups or experiments here, and self-belief and self-determination in each player are going to be the most valuable traits for the team,” he added.

The iconic forward also recalled the victorious memories of India’s last gold-winning campaign in the 1980 Moscow Olympics.

“The memory of 1980 will remain with me forever. It was more than a personal achievement as it was such a big moment for the country as well. It was the 8th Gold medal in hockey for the country, which is a record that will surely stand…

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