Youth only policy will not bring India success: Sreejesh

India goalkeeper P R Sreejesh Friday said focussing only on youth is not going to bring them success but backed Harendra Singh to stay on as coach despite their quarterfinal exit in the hockey World Cup.

Veterans S V Sunil and Ruipinder Pal Singh were excluded from the World Cup team owing to injury and lack of form.

Asked if the focus will now primarily be on picking young players, Sreejesh said,
"See what do you mean by youth, if a youngster comes into the team and he gets three or four more years experience, does it mean he is an old guy. You can't win tournaments just with youngsters. In important matches we need experience."
"If you see Argentina, when they won the Olympic gold in 2016, their average age was 32-33. You need a unique combination, youth as well as having some players with the experience of having played in high pressure matches."
"He needs more opportunities and time to build a good team and focus on the Olympics (in 2020) because that is the biggest challenge coming ahead."
"In the World Cup, we were the youngest team. With more experience we will be one of the best teams in the world."