Speaking at a press conference, Negi welcomed the Indian Hockey Federation's (IHF) reported move to bring in a foreigner to train the team for the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

He was in agreement with IHF chief KPS Gill's views that hiring a foreign coach is a priority, a view shared international Joachim Carvalho, who was also present. ``A foreign coach would be good for penalty-corners and other set-piece situations arising inside the 25 yard area. They have better ideas in these areas,'' Carvalho felt.

But Negi totally disagreed with the Gill's view that six of the victorious Bangkok squad members would be over thehill by 2000 Olympics, for which India qualified by winning the gold medal in the Asian Games after 32 years.

``I think the six seniors, including skipper Dhanraj Pillay, can last till the Sydney Games provided they keep themselves fit. Moreover, they should be persisted with if they are fit as we do not have any substitutes for them,'' Negi said. Both Negi and Carvalho were emphatic the Bangkok triumph should spur the IHF to market the game better and bring in sponsors for the benefit of the players.

Carvalho felt the players should be paid Rs 50,000 each for taking part in the Olympics, World Cup, Asian Games and the Indo-Pak Test series, and Rs 25,000 for other matches.

Negi revealed the team members were paid US$ 50 each at the Bangkok Games by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and not the IHF. A superintendent with Bombay Customs, Negi announced that Dr AH Rizvi, a Member of Parliament and an educationist has declared a reward of Rs five lakh to the gold winning hockey team. The presentationwill be done at St Andrew's High School ground, Bandra on January 12 coinciding with an exhibition match between Rizvi XI and an Indian XI.

Negi complimented the IHF for having the foresight to send a team for the Pre-Asian Games tournament at Bangkok which gave them a definite advantage of having the feel of the conditions, climate and, importantly, experience of playing under floodlights.