Hockey: National Game or National Shame?

We could not have expected more than what Indian hockey is bringing to the country at present, "humiliation and shame". The unceremonious exit from the medal race in the Asiad Games, first time in 48 years and a 11th place finish at the World Cup clearly shows where Indian hockey is heading?

Remember the golden era when India won six consecutive gold medals fro 1928 to 1956 in Olympics Games? Now the team surrendered tamely before China, a country who is still struggling to make its presence felt in the global arena.

There is little doubt that today Indian hockey is in doldrums. However, the dictator is hardly bothered. As long as KPS Gill continues to be at the helm of Indian hockey, I fear that situation is not going to improve for the Indian hockey. It is an irony to see that when team is suffering humiliating defeats one after another, senior, experienced players are forced to sit at home, thanks to the autocratic functioning of our hockey bosses.

Will the good sense prevail at last? Will we be able to see the golden era of Indian hockey again? A lot of questions that are yet to be answered. The only solution, which may the first step in the revival of Indian hockey is the dissolution of the incumbent federation and motivating our players with a clear goal in mind. Otherwise, next Asiad will witness India losing to countries like Oman, Hong Kong and Bangladesh who are still playing sort of schoolboy hockey.