After she quit international hockey quite dramatically in 1983 when only 23 and at the peak of her faculties only Punjab's Rajbir Kaur matched the Mumbai lady's aggro, speed, control and shooting.

Selma, now assistant sports officer with Western Railway, does not delve on the reasons for her sudden adieu from the international game. She says instead: ``Much as I loved playing for the country, I enjoyed playing hockey at any level. I will leave it at that.''

Surely enough, former India captain Selma felt no dearth of motivation as she scorched pitches all over the country with dazzling runs. She played on until 1996, representing Western Railway and Railways which she helped win four National Championshiptitles. A crack centre-forward and an equally adept inside-forward, Selma's career spanned a generation (1972-1996) and it included an international stint of eight years (1975-83).

Strongly tipped for the Arjuna Award which eluded her, Selma savours the Padmashree Award conferred on her in 1991. ``I never ever played for awards,'' she says. ``But I still thank some higher authority in the skies for the Padmashree.''

Now that her playing days are over, Selma is ideally placed to give something back to the sport. ``The Railways took care of me as a player. I now feel obliged to take care of today's sportspersons. My role in the organisation gives me such an opportunity,'' Selma enthuses.

Naturally hockey would engage Selma's attention although she goes about serving other sports equally. And inevitably she is filled with remorse on the state of hockey in the city. Especially women's hockey, stifled and stymied by inadequate support from sponsors, media and the general public.Selma, embarking on scoutingtalent, asks: ``Is it any surprise then that there are few girls willing to take up the stick?''

``Western Railway has had to reach out to distant areas in the country to boost its teams. It's so different from my days when girls in Mumbai came out to play in numbers.''

She reckons that the demise of tournaments that sustained women's hockey in the city have much to do with this depressing scenario.

Selma explains: ``The All-India Tommy Emmar Cup and local Luis Codiero tournament did much for the women's game. With an absence of such events, girls in the city have little to hope for. True, the Mumbai women's association has been doing a lot to revive the sport but their efforts might bring little success unless there's a permanent ground available along with support from sponsors and media.''

There is talent aplenty among women in the country, Selma opines and she prefers to take an optimistic view of India's 12th (and last) place at the Utrecht World Cup last May.

``We should consider it anachievement that our girls were there among the top nations. Everybody would have been quick to point an accusing finger had our team not qualified. But then again, everyone castigates us for our fall from the top.

``In this country, few support you in your rise upwards anyway. If you achieve something in the field of sport, it is very much your own hardwork and sacrifice.''

Selma has seen both sides. Joy at New Delhi, 1982, sheer despair at 1980 the Moscow Olympics. ``Winning the gold medal at the Asian Games was an unforgetable experience. Missing a medal at Moscow when well placed just the day before was heart-rending.'' But neither affected her resolve towards perfection.