It may sound a little exuberant, but it’s true that Bangladesh’s performance in the upcoming Asia Cup Hockey will depend a lot on the experienced campaigner Russell Mahmud Jimmy and the player said he and his fellow teammates, having left the past behind, are firmly focused in lifting the image of the country.
Expressing his aspirations regarding the upcoming challenges Jimmy said he has urged all the players to focus upon the tasks ahead. It would be mentionable that the star forward, a few days back, wanted to retire from the national team having finding himself in the center of a hullabaloo when the players staged a demonstration demanding the date of players’ transfer.
“We have put the past behind us, we all want to play for the country and all the players for the last one year have tried hard to lift the image of the country in the international hockey arena. The time has arrived and we want to put up a good show in the Asia Cup. Sixth position is our main target and why not. The fifth place is also in our sight, let’s hope we put a good show,” said Jimmy.
Jimmy’s presence in the team is irreplaceable as head coach Naveed Alam has prepared Jimmy as the utility man. “He has told me to get ready to play for the whole 70 minutes. We have different plans for the three group matches and I will have to take different roles as per the coach’s plans. I am motivated to continue my good form in the Asia Cup,” said the national playmaker.
“It’s my fourth Asia Cup in the last ten years and definitely the team has certain expectations from me. I am aware of that, I always play for the country and if you ask me if I have any personal target, yes there is one. I was adjudged as the best midfielder of the World Hockey League round two and I will just try to repeat the same performance. If I can do it I will hope that I may get a call to the Asian XI, that’s my personal goal,” said Jimmy.
Jimmy revealed that after the Asia Cup is completed he will fly to Oman to play for a local club. “I have not been able to avail the offer in the last two years, but this time I have taken the decision to play in Oman and I will play for Al Seeb.”