Sardara Singh

It’s another proud day for hockey fans in India. Sardara Singh, the aggressive attacking mid field player who can play in defence, has been selected by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) in the FIH All Stars Team 2010. Sardara Singh was surprisingly ignored by the Asian Hockey Federation as he was not included in the Asian All Stars squad even after putting up a great show in the year. His name didn’t figure among the four Indian players who were named in the continental team.

But, to everyone’s satisfaction, Sardara’s performance didn’t go un-noticed as the FIH included his name amongst the other power performers from different countries. He is the lone Indian in the All Stars team. Rani Rampal is the only Indian in the FIH All Stars women’s team. She also featured in the Asian All Stars team as well. Her place was justified as she won the ‘Best Young Player’ in the World Cup held in Argentina.

“When I came to know that my name was not among the four Indian’s picked in the Asian All Stars team I was really disappointed. Keeping my performance in mind I thought I deserved a place in the continental team. But, I’m happy that I got a place in the World’s All Stars team and it’s a huge motivation for me.” Sardara said after he received the news.

Sardara performed exceptionally well in the ‘Commonwealth Games‘ and ‘Asian Games‘. He bagged the ‘man of the tournament’ award in this year’s Sultan Azlan Shah Tournament before being declared ‘man of the series’ in the India-Canada seven match test series. He was also awarded the ‘player of the tournament’ in the Champions Challenge Cup where India won Bronze medal.

All these accolades by Sardara were achieved when he played as a defender but actually he is an attacking player. “Earlier, I used to play as a forward but later coach Joe Brasa suggested that I would play better and would be more effective in defence. I was puzzled but then realized that he was right and now I’m comfortable and lot more effective in this position.” said Sardara.

Each FIH All Star list was created using the recommendations and opinions of various hockey experts from across the globe including players, officials, coaches and journalists.

The squads (with All-Star record):

Women: Luciana Aymar (Arg), Soledad Garcia (Arg), Noel Barrionuevo (Arg), Carla Rebecchi (Arg), Casey Eastham (Aus), Madonna Blyth (Aus), Fu Baorong (Chn), Zhao Yudiao (Chn), Helen Richardson (Eng), Rani Rampal (Ind), Beth Storry (Eng), Crista Cullen (Eng), Natascha Keller (Ger), Maartje Paumen (Ned), Naomi van As (Ned), Marsha Marescia (RSA), Joyce Sombroek (Ned), Kayla Sharland (NZ), Coaches: Carlos Retegui (Arg) and Danny Kerry (Eng)

Men: Jamie Dwyer (Aus), Ashley Jackson (Eng), Rehan Butt (Pak), Barry Middleton (Eng), David Alegre (Esp), Des Abbott (Aus), Eddie Ockenden (Aus), Guus Vogels (Ned), James Fair (Eng), Jong Ho Seo (Kor), Lucas Villa (Arg), Matthias Witthaus (Ger), Max Müller (Ger), Moritz Fürste (Ger), Nick Wilson (NZ), Sardara Singh (Ind), Teun de Nooijer (Ned), Tobias Hauke (Ger), Coaches: Ric Charlesworth (Aus) and Markus Weise (Ger)