Indian Hockey’s Sorry State
The story of Indian hockey pains the Indian sports lover particularly - dominating champions in another year but now trailing and merely making the numbers. It is a sad story which is symbolic of the poor state Indian sport is in general. I haven’t written at length on the issue yet and my excuse is that I am too frustrated with Indian hockey to talk with perspective on it.
There have been some intentions shown like with the Professional Hockey League (which has changes to the rule to apparently try to appeal to the masses). Poor timings of the PHL have shown poor regard on it by the organisers. For example, in it’s second edition it was hosted while the India-Pakistan cricket series - the worst time to try to capture an audience. The sad situation Indian Hockey finds itself in cannot ever be rued less.
Chidambarakumari Ponnambalam presents another mourning essay on the subject: [Via Desipundit]
For all his brilliance on the field, Dhyan Chand died an ordinary man without a hefty bank balance. If this is the way we treat our Star players, we have no bloody right to complain about anyone not performing in the international arena.
The pertinent question is - ‘what can be done to improve Indian hockey?’ Infrastructure and training facilities are the keys obviously. Where does the money come in for the same? The slow but best way is by in-house initiatives like the PHL to create interest in the game. Only, such initiatives should be handled properly and seriously.
Some related posts on the plight in general in Indian sports and some new marked improvements - Why India doesn’t win at the Olympics, Indian shooting boom, Indian Football.
Tags: Dhyan Chand, Indian Hockey.
