Q: Would you agree that the Bangkok gold has triggered off a hockey revival?

A: There is general euphoria and expectations are high. But the opposition at Bangkok was very weak. South Korea are not in the world's top five and Pakistan are in re-building process.

Q: What are IHF's plans in order to build upon the gains of Bangkok?

A: Let us face facts. The team that won the gold has been playing as a unit for the last four-five years (barring slight variations), and they have been hovering between 5-10 in the world rankings. It is an ageing team, and I feel that at least six of them will not last till Sydney Olympics. We have to find replacements and thisis the right time.

Q: The second-place finish by our juniors in the Milton Keynes World Cup had given lot of hope. Do you believe that our talent base is strong enough?

A: Four of the juniors are already in the National (senior) team and more will be in the team for Sydney. The base could have been better but with more international matches things will improve.

Q: How much of the credit for the Bangkok performance goes to the coaches MK Kaushik and MR Negi?

A: A little. We have won the tournament so that's that. The weaknesses are still there -- we are still struggling with penalty-corner conversions and our our finishing remains patchy. But I must congratulate our defenders and mid-fielders for their good performance.

Q: Will the IHF retain Kaushik till Sydney?

A: A panel will select the coach. I would not rule out anybody's chances, be it Kaushik, Cedric D'Souza or Vasudevan Baskaran.

Q: But what about talks of a foreign coach?

A: That's a priority we are tryingfor some time now. Paul Lissek's name has come up. We are also talking to some well known coaches in The Netherlands. The Indian Olympic Association has agreed to foot the bill. Till such time we'll make do with home talent. But there will be no stop-gap arrangements. Whoever takes over stays on till Sydney.

Q: How do you react to the adverse statements against the Federation made by senior players like Ashish Ballal and Dhanraj Pillay?

A: I stick to my point that indiscipline will not be tolerated, at any cost. Indiscipline and greed cannot make a winning combination.

Q: But surely, the players need to be paid their due?

A: I have always told the players that payment depends on performance. You cannot demand money after losing continuously. They did well at Bangkok and we have paid them Rs 1 lakh each. Besides, most of these players have decent lifestyles even they are not rich like our cricketers. After all, hockey is not a professional sport.

Q: Kaushik has reportedly criticisedthe Federation for lack of transparency...

A: A coach's job is to coach. Why should he worry about administrative matters?

Q: How successful has the IHF been in selling the game, to the masses and the sponsors?

A: There is no crisis, as yet. Pepsi and Tatas are sponsoring the Indo-Pak series. As for the masses, we have several tournaments at the sub-junior and junior levels. But, I agree we need to do more.