During his playing days, Dhananjay Mahadik was known as an ‘all-rounder’ who could play in the midfield, do the job of a defender and occasionally convert penalty corners. As he aspires to become a hockey coach, he is all set to carry forward this tag with him.
Mahadik is currently serving as the video analyst with the Indian junior team, which will play in the junior World Cup starting from December 6, and helping the youngsters gear up for the important assignment.
However, the shy Mahadik, who took up the job with the senior Indian team at the time of the Asia Cup in August, had no hesitation in speaking about his ambitions to become a coach.
“I am not doing this to take it up as a career. I have plans to start coaching in Mumbai and this will help me. This is an important tool to do my home work,” said Mahadik, while recording a practice match between India and England on Saturday.
Good experience
“It has been a very good experience. Working with (Roelant) Oltmans and (Gregg) Clark, I came to know about their different styles and thoughts about coaching.
“During my playing days under (Jose) Brasa, I learnt a lot. In the two months I played under Cedric D’Souza in Austria I picked up a few points too.”
On how the players were benefitting from a player-turned-video analyst, he said: “There are individual as well as team analysis. I give them individual footage so that they can study and improve their game.
“Being a player myself, I am able to convey the necessary points in a better way. They are always after me,” said Mahadik with a smile.
Striker Ramandeep Singh acknowledges Mahadik’s contribution. “Being a player himself, he points out all the technicalities and guides us in handling different situations.”
Optimistic
Mahadik, who played in the 2005 edition of the junior World Cup in which India had finished fourth, hoped that with all the facilities and support staff the current group should be able to produce a good result.
“During our time, there was no such back-up. We are giving them our best. Now it is the turn of the players to deliver the goods,” he said.
