Indian hockey is the recipient of some more home truth once again. The latest to comment on the scenario is Ric Charlesworth, the former Australian captain and in the country now as FIH appointed technical consultant. He says that there is a phenomenal amount of talent but questions the administration's ability to channelise it. He has said nothing new but he is Ric Charlesworth, the man who gave Australian hockey rare direction and should be taken seriously.
The Indian Hockey Federation should take Charlesworth at his work and seek advice as how best to revitalize the game in the country. Maybe he will, or has, some fresh ideas. There is no point in living in the past. India may be been a great hockey power but it has been on the decline from mid-seventies though there were some bright spots on and off, one of them being the gold medal in the Moscow Olympics of 1980. Since then we have on a couple of occasions even had to play the qualifying round to find a place in the Olympics and World Cup. The present time is perhaps the worst. India has to play qualify for a place in the Beijing Olympics next years and the prospects are rather dim.
What is however more depressing than India not playing in the international arena is the diminishing interest in the game at the domestic level. It has been a gradual process but no one can deny that hockey, the national game, appears to be losing its crowd-captivating power, particularly in the last ten years or so. And this decline in interest is what is reflected in the overall game at the highest level.
The winning of the Asian title earlier in the year, a tremendous achievement indeed, should now be utilized to goad the players into a more energetic unit. One of the major steps for that should be to reorganize the domestic structure by giving more importance to the National Championships in the main. First and foremost the Nationals should be conducted more efficiently and professionally and if possible with the top eight teams given financial or other benefits as incentive.
The domestic tournaments should be graded and made compulsory for the teams and players. Cash incentives should be made more attractive. And steps should also be taken to monitor the game at the schools and university level. One remembers the earlier days when Combined Universities XI used to be among the best teams in the Nehru Tournament. It is no longer so. Either the standard has dipped or maybe the selection criteria is faulty.
Hockey at the domestic level was at one stage hugely enjoyed by the public. Today it is not the case. If the IHF can bring back to interest at the domestic level then it certainly will have taken a major step at improving the national image in the international field..
Ramu Sharma
Print This Page
Terms
and Conditions