Hockey: Parag has unfinished business

By TERRY MADDAFORD

On the international treadmill since the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, 32-year-old Umesh Parag has unfinished business.

"Not qualifying for the Sydney Olympics was the biggest disappointment," said Wellington-based Parag.

"After the 1998 Commonwealth Games we had no doubt we could qualify for Sydney but we lost to teams we should have beaten."

There is a similar mindset again.

Spurred by what he admits as his biggest thrill of his 189-match international career - the silver medal won at last year's Commonwealth Games - Parag said winning a place at the Athens Olympics was the focus.

The striker has cranked up a lot of games and a lot of goals. Although he is not quite sure how many he has scored.

"It's around 70, I think."

He speaks with more conviction about the changes he has seen in his record-breaking career, which seems certain to make him New Zealand's first double-centurion, even if he admits at times it has been a bit of a grind.

"Our approach now is slightly more professional. Sports science plays a part, as does the emphasis on physical preparation.

"We have had to adapt to the no offside rule and the introduction of the slap hit and drag flick."

After such a long career, is the thrill of pulling on his New Zealand shirt as strong as ever?

"For sure. Hearing your name read out is a big deal. When it ceases to be that it will be time to give it away."

Not, he hopes, until after playing in Athens.