Alloysius Edwards has entered the second-half of his career in hockey, literally. For this 42-year-old former India goalkeeper has decided to be in the thick of real action once again by donning the role of manager of one of the teams (most probably Delhi) in the high-profile World Series Hockey League.
This Hyderabadi rarely gets the recognition like his contemporaries including City's own triple Olympian Nandnuri Mukesh Kumar. It is a different issue that they have mutual admiration for each other.
Interestingly, Mukesh works in coordination with the Hockey India and even served as the chief coach of the Junior India team recently in Malaysia.
“I thought the best way to give back something to the sport at this stage of my career is to be involved in this League,” says Edwards, Branch Manager of the Punjab & Sind Bank (Ameerpet region).
“I find nothing wrong with the concept of the WSH even as there are critics who are harping on the theory that it is a ‘rebel' league of sorts,” argues Edwards, the 1996 Atlanta Olympics Indian goalkeeper. “I look at the whole idea of WSH as one which cares for the players and gives them something to cheer,” he asserts.
“And again, let me make it clear, money is not the sole criterion for me to join this WSH. I look at this as a huge opportunity to get to know different facets of the game as the best of the players and the coaches will be there in action,” explains Edwards.
Apparently, this Hyderabadi should know what he means having played 112 internationals including the 1994 Sydney World Cup, the 1995 Champions Trophy and the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
This former hockey Olympian, the only one besides Mukesh Kumar from the City, believes that it is high time the Sports Hostel concept is revived. “Me and Mukesh are products of Sports Hostel and so are many internationals from the State,” he reminds. “The only way to revive hockey is to conduct as many tournaments as possible so that it not only allows the young talent to showcase it skills but also lures more youngsters to the sport,” says Edwards. He reminds that he and Mukesh were lucky to have coaches like Doraiswamy and Abharanam in their formative stages. “They were selfless and were committed to their jobs,”" he recalls even as he gets into the preparatory mode for the World Series Hockey league.
