New Delhi, March 10 : Teun de Nooijer stand out on a hockey turf as much for his skills as for his dribbling and creativity. Known as the Dutch General, it is not easy to read his mind. A midfield striker, he bamboozles his markers with his sudden shifts and changes in direction.

Here in Delhi, playing in his fifth World Cup, De Nooijer scored only once in five matches and that's surprising for a player who, for much of his career, averaged one goal every two matches. Back home he is known as Johan Cruyff of world hockey after the famous Dutch soccer star. De Nooijer is a great fan of Cryuff and he not only sports a jersey with No. 14 like the Dutch soccer star but it is also part of his academy's name.

De Nooijer says the game has given him so much that it's time repay. He chose to do the best a sportsman could and should do after his playing days. Inspired by Cryuff, he has set up a hockey academy, the Teun de Nooijer 14 Academy.

"Cryuff is an inspiration for me. He gave back a lot to the game by coaching juniors at Ajax. In fact he made a great impact on Dutch hockey with his concept of total football. My academy was dedicated to him. That's why the No.
14 is a part of the name of my academy," said De Nooijer.

The academy is close to Bloemendaal Hockey Club, the premier league team that De Nooijer represents in the Dutch league. The academy has two courses -- Golden Expreince (for the business of the game) and Master Class
(for budding players).

"It (academy) is still at a nascent stage and my wife Phillipa Suxdorf (German hockey Olympian) helps me out in running it," he said.

De Nooijer went on to add that his contract with Bloemendaal runs till 2012 and after that he would take a call on his retirement.

"After this World Cup, I will surely sit down and think about my international future. But I will continue playing club hockey for the next two years," said the three-time World Hockey Player of the Year.

Asked how important is this World Cup for him, De Nooijer said: "If we win, this would be my second World Cup triumph (first was at home in 1998 Utrecht). But for me, I want to give my best every time I step on the turf. I have to be at the top of my game till I retire."

At 33, De Nooijer is still one of the fittest players in the game.

"It is tough to compete with the young guys once you cross 30. To survive in the competitive world you have to have something extra in your fitness regimen. Be it weights or cardio, I have to do them more than my younger teammates."

De Nooijer has a piece of advice for the Indian players.

"I know they are skillful, but they need to work hard and improve their fitness," he said. (IANS)