Accepting the responsibility for the defeat the Coach of the Team India has already resigned. There is a full-throated demand for the resignation of KPS Gill, the President of the Indian Hockey Federation. He has been in this seat for the last 15 years. He is reported to have rejected the suggestion.

There is little denying the fact that the Indian Hockey has been a victim of severe neglect. On top of the list of the guilty are those who comprise the IHF. They must own the responsibility for the defeat, as good commanders failing to clinch a victory would do. If they don't do that they should be sacked and the Government constitute a new Federation with able and willing hockey enthusiasts who pull the hockey out of the morass it has fallen into.

It hardly needs reiteration that too much focus on cricket and tennis has worked to the detriment of hockey, football, volleyball and football. Less and less good hockey players are coming forward to make playing hockey a career. The reason is simple. Most hockey players have lived and died in penury. Not even one of them got handsome a reward comparable to the cricketers.

There are numerous instances of fledgling cricketers making millions in months to last a lifetime. Hockey cries greater attention, wholesome encouragement and a heavy dose of funds. Will the man after Gill be provided with the necessary wherewithal and the players paid adequate compensation not only for their labours when they are active but also when they retire to make playing hockey popular.