Hockey team’s performance in the World Cup draws flak

“We our trying to adopt European style, while forgetting our own artistic style of play, which gave us gold medals in the Olympics,” says SN Vohra, who is secretary of the Chandigarh Hockey Association (CHA) for the last two decades. The secretary, however, reiterated, “Club hockey is the only answer to revive the game at the grass root level.”

While the CHA secretary blamed the system for the present downfall, RS Sodhi, another enthusiast, held the players responsible for the lackadaisical performance at the international arena. “There was a time when players use to spend endless hours on the field honing their skills. But, now after hitting a few strokes, the players call it a day, ” recalls RS Sodhi who played hockey in the ’50s.

“Why cannot we improve our finishing skill?,” asks Puran Singh, who got a job in the Haryana State Electricity Board (HSEB) in the sports quota. “The officials who are engaged in preparing the teams should be held responsible for it,” says Puran, adding, “Had we not missed chances against Germany and Korea in the men’s section, the whole outcome would have been different.” Jatinder Jeet Singh, who played nationals in the early 90s’, also aired similar views. “Lack of skill seems to be the bane of Indian hockey.” However, he said in a lighter vein,“There is a contrast in our hockey. Earlier we used to score goals, now we are conceding.”

Ashwinder Singh, who captained Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana, in the All India Inter University in 1989 was more straight forward. “I will never allow my children to take up hockey as a sport as the state of affair is not bright,” he said: “How can a player give his best when he has to protest for match fee and other benefits, which he ought to get by virtue of his performance at the international level.” Ashwinder, probably indicated to the incidence, when a few National players lodged a protest, on the eve of the eight Test Series against arch rivals Pakistan.

Mamta, who was one of the stand byes in the senior women team for the current World Cup said that more exposure is required to fight with the best in the fray. “Players should make frequent trips aboard, not once in a while,”says Mamta.

Pardeep Verma, a keen lover of the game, however, held the entire system responsible for the down fall of the game. “The only way out to get out this sticky situation is that all government schemes should be results oriented. And the coaches should be on contract, which will in return bring the best out of them, ” feels Pardeep.

However, Jaswinder Singh, Sports Authority of India (SAI), hockey coach was a bit cautious in his approach. “The Indian teams are giving their best but the only thing, they are lacking is in the finishing touch, which decides the winner and the loser,” says the coach.