Hockey: India's National Game not a National Shame

Hockey: India's National Game not a National Shame

Indian Men's Hockey Team won the coveted Sultan Azlan Shah Cup by convincingly defeating the adamant hosts Malaysia 3-1 in Ipoh after a lacuna of 13 years. It is India's fourth title win in the 5-nation tournament after winning the cup in 1985, 1991, and 1995. Frontliners Arjun Halappa, Prabhjot Singh, and Shivendra Singh struck the net for India in the finals, while captain Sandeep Singh achieved the glorious feat of being the top-goal scorer in the tournament.

Sadly, none of the Indians were able to watch this wonderful game and the winning moments as it was not broadcasted live on any National Channel. Isn't it a pity, of the so many channels including Doordarshan not even a single channel cared to telecast our so-called National game. Ok agreed, that hockey doesn't have the same viewership and fan following as cricket and they have been performing miserably for the past so many years. But, so was the Indian cricket team till Sourav Ganguly became the captain. Infact, cricket was even marred with shameful allegations and confessions of match fixing and bribing. Still, none of channels stopped broadcasting the game and the stadiums all over India used to be packed to the capacity even for a India vs Bangladesh game. Rightly so, because you don't disown a team or a game if its going through bad phase or because of the misdoings of a select few. With the right people in right place and India's continous encouragement, the cricket team is bringing accolades and glory to the nation.

The issue is not cricket vs hockey any ways. If US can have a huge fan following and money invloved in 3 different games (baseball, football, and basketball) then why India with a billion peope population can't have it for both cricket and hockey or for any game for that matter. So, why can't we bestow the same faith in our national game that has brought us 8 Olympic Gold Medals? Why are the people, government, media, and sponsors not promoting hockey? May be players were not upto the par, but so were not the facilities, and the constant sacking of coaches and illogical selection of players didn't help either, and the pathetic state of management under K.P.S Gill (former IHF President) could be gauged from the fact that India has a miniscule number of stadiums with Astroturf which is a basic requirement for any international game. The preference of covering and the hype generated of an unauthorized cricket league (ICL) over the Premier Hockey League (PHL) by all forms of media shows the contempt for the national sport.

Azlan Shah Cup win has done India proud. The current players and management without GILL have the WILL to do well, but its not just the will that can bring the golden days of hockey back....we need the basic facilities and infrastructure in place. The government should at the least fecilitate the winning outfit by provide incentives and rewards, which will not only boost their morale, but also will motivate them to perform better next time. Moreover, this may well instigate the younger generations to take-up and follow the sport. It's the responsibility of the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) and media to popularize the sport at grass roots. The media should also provide enough coverage to the hockey team when it performs well in a certain tournament, rather than just debating on it when it doesn't. It will be more appropriate to revamp the sport in the country and inject a sense of realism, rather than brooding over the past failures.

A tumultous welcome 'Chak De' from the homecrowd is what will enlighten the heart of these 'stick' heroes and undoubtedly pump their bosom with a sense of proud and motivation.....With the glittering Azlan Shah Cup in their bag, India's National game sure does deserve a fair chance to revive its lost glory?

-Kartavya Jain