Not winning Olympic medal is blemish in my career: Dhanraj Pillay

New Delhi, May 17 (UNI) Mercurial forward Dhanraj Pillay today said not winning an Olympic hockey medal was perhaps the only blemish in his career.

''I think I have failed my country and my mother by not being able to win an Olympic medal despite having played in four editions of the mega event,'' the former India captain said on the occassion of the release of book 'Forgive me Amma - the life and times of Dhanraj Pillay' written by well-known hockey journalist Sandeep Misra.

''I have received highest sports awards of the country but let me tell you an Olympic medal is any time desirable than those awards,'' an emotional Pillay said.

The controversial forward was of the view that hockey has given him everything ''but I have not been able to redeem the country with an Olympic medal and that is the regret I will always carry''.

Former hockey captain and four-time Olympian Balbir Singh (Sr) who released the book lavished praise on Pillay saying, ''Indian hockey needs players like him. He gave his best for the game.'' Balbir said the authorties should utilise Pillay's talent in building up the new team.

''He (Pillay) is too precious to be wasted.'' Former cricket captain Ajay Jadeja hailed Pillay's contribution to the game saying, ''The verstile forward has played an important role in putting Indian hockey back on International arena.'' ''He (Pillay) has emerged as a role model for youngsters who are intrested in hockey,'' Jadeja said.

The 249-page book with 19 chapters traces the career of Pillay from the year he brust on to the National scene till the Athens Olympic.

UNI