India today named it’s goalkeeper PR Sreejesh as the captain of the national squad for Olympic Games in Rio, giving the snub to long-time skipper Sardar Singh.
Sreejesh had previously led the team to silver medal glory at the Champions Trophy last month in London, earning India it’s best ever result in the 6-nation tournament’s 38-year old history.
The final of the Champions Trophy was an excellent game of hockey with both teams India and Australia in a goalless draw in the regulation time but India lost the game due to a controversial shoot-out.
The vice-captain for the squad is SV Sunil who played the same role in the team during the Champions Trophy.
According to rumours, it was Sardar’s poor form in the recent run which led to his axing but the team’s chief coach Roelant Oltmans refuted these rumours and said it was relive him from excess responsibilities.
“The philosophy behind changing the captain is that we felt people need to take more responsibilities on the pitch and off the pitch. Sardar was taking too much responsibilities because of which he was not performing at the level that is expected of him,” Oltmans told reporters at a function Of Hockey India to announce the men’s and women’s teams for the Olympic Games at an August gathering.
“By changing the captain I belive Sardar will play a much better Olympic Games. Sardar took the decision (of him being removed from captaincy) very sportingly. He understands what’s required from him.” zoloft for sale, dapoxetine without prescription. 
Sardar had found himself in a difficult scenario in personal life as well when allegations of rape after promising rape were levelled against him by a British national. When asked if this affected Sardar and his game, Oltmans said, “Of course those things did affect him.”
“For me, it is important that we perform as a team. We tried this combination of players in Champions Trophy and it worked for us. This is the time to fine tune our processes and I have complete faith in our processes. I believe in this group of players,” Oltmans said.
Oltmans also said that he believes in shared leadership.
“I need shared leadership. I need players who take responsibility on and off the field and that’s the reason I felt we need to change the captain. We changed the captain in the Champions Trophy and that’s worked out really well.”
“I believe at this moment this is the best solution for Sardar and the team. For me there is only one thing and that’s the team and individuals are part of the team.”
