Mar 30, 2002 11:40 PM
3795 Views
(Updated Mar 31, 2002 03:43 PM)
Sometimes I wonder when exactly will our infatuation with the west start waning so that we can give some attention to developing our own talent pool. Hockey is one game where we used to be the rulers. Likes of Major Dhyanchand have given many sleepless nights to the competitors. An intelligent mix of skill and stamina used to be the hallmarks of this game. But now our boys appear little kids in front of European players. In fact the worrying part is, supremacy of the subcontinent as such is fast eroding. Pakistani Hockey too is heading down south. No doubt, the kind of turf hockey is now being played has made a great difference. But why have our players suddenly become so submissive ? Reasons for this in my opinion are:
1. The Federation: The hockey federation (or any other Indian sports federation for that matter) has been become sort of rehabilitation body for the administrators. Nobody seems to bothered by the fact that putting non-professionals like IAS or IPS on the governing body will only benefit the person and the game. In a recent programme on Doordarshan, Mr. Pargat Singh was complaining about this very fact to the minister of sports. The sports minister, make it clear that most of the sports federations are free from govt. control, and the govt. cannot interfere in day-to-day functioning of the body. But Ms. Uma Bharti (the sports minister) made it clear, that a meeting of all the sporting federations is being organised, in which some sort of code of conduct will be mutually decided upon. Let us pray something positive emerges out.
2. Scarcity of Facilities: Good playing grounds coupled with good astro-turf laid over has been a luxury in India. Facilities for practice are pathetic. I’ve to the Shivaji and National stadium in Delhi a number of times. The patches which were their a year ago have widened much more, and still waiting to be repaired. Lack of proper maintenance has done more harm to the facilities. But good news is, the Shivaji stadium is being renovated, may be we’ll get a better stadium, couple of months later.
3. Need for more big/ attractive domestic tournaments Domestic tournaments which serve as a feeder line for National sides are being ignored both by the people and the administrators. Not many spectators turn up to watch the matches. The state of Punjab, the breeding ground of Hockey is not being properly exploited.
4. No Big Money: The promising reason for young generation’s turning away from hockey is of course, lack of monetary gains from it compared to other games like cricket, tennis etc. This way, if a player concentrates fully on playing and improving his hockey skills his survival becomes difficult.
5. Lack of Sponsorship In cricket each and everything right from shoe to cap is being sponsored, why not in Hockey. Reason advanced by sponsors - There are not many viewers/ spectators. But this is something like Pahle murgi ya anda. The spectator will turn up if there is more publicity about the event. Afterall how many of us knew, till a couple of yrs back about, the valentine’s day, father’s day, mother’s day etc !! If not the MNCs the domestic biggies must take a big lead in reviving the game and interest in it.
