To Sponsor or not to Sponsor. Review on Indian Hockey Team

#The performance of the Indian team at this years champion's trophy has been well below the expectations. The team managed to win only two games, but most importantly it won against Pakistan. Boy do we play when we play against the Pakis. There was much fanfare and celebrations going in the country when the team lost the match for 3rd position and lost it to Pakistan. It had a very good chance of returning home with a consolation prize, but blew it up. The hockey team lost all the crucial matches and won those that were not that important!

#Well coming to the point, Indian hockey finally got a sponsor in Sahara. Sahara international group had sponsored the Indian cricket teams many a times. And this was the biggest opportunity for this hockey team to cash for itself a permanent sponsorer. But I think Sahara would think again before it gives 'sahara' to the team again. After all the sponsorship depends on the team's performance. Then people cry, especially the non-cricketers that cricket is one game that's responsible for ruining all other games in India. Well my point is whether cricket always had the sponsorors? Did they game took birth with money and fame in India? No it didn't. It was after the 83 world cup victory that our players started to earn even off the field. This added to crciket's popularity and it became an increasingly secure profession to pursue.

# Now many of you might argue that wasn't Indian hockey in it's golden days during Dhyanchand? Remember that sponsoring became a big business only after the economy opened up i.e. in the 90s. And cricket benifited because the team was performing, it was winning. Hockey on the other hand started loosing it's identity as a national game to cricket. What a shame? But sponsorors are not to be blamed for that. Not even the spectators. Because people found atleast one sporting team that was winning something.

# However I am not against Hockey team. This new team in particular seems to be spirited and rejuvenated. But they still lack the killer instinct and consistency. They suprisingly win a match and the expectations are raised and it looses unexpectantly to some weaker side. When you start really doubting their performance they beat the worst rival Pakistan with the biggest margin ever. So naturally the team goes hayware. The problem is the play during the last few moments. It lost to Argentina in the last crunch situation, same was with Pakistan when it lost after being 3-3 all. All it needs is to have some decent performances not the occasional flashes of brilliance. If they win a few titles like the Champions Trophy and World Cup then it might be able to restore it's past glory. And only restore the glory but this time with the glory they would cash in a lot of material prizes as well. Even the players know this.

Common India Dikha Do!