India’s Hockey Team is clearly one of the most sensational topics in our country that has been ruling the nation for a long time. The British Army initially introduced the game in Calcutta in 1885 since it was a port city and the head office of the East India Company. The Bennington Cup and the Aga Khan tournament for hockey were established shortly after that. It is now affiliated with the International Hockey Federation (FIH), the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), and the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF).
This fantastic sport is often perceived as a national sport due to its historical significance. Hockey as a sport holds a very special place in India’s heart. It was definitely because of the victories and remembrance we have had globally. As Indians, people follow this sport very religiously, and it is considered to be one of the best sports. This particular sport has a rich history and has achieved great success. Men’s Hockey was played in 1908 and 1920 during the Summer Olympics and was dropped in 1924 which led to the creation of the International Hockey Federation. The Men’s Hockey Team had an achievement that led to the establishment of India’s Women’s Hockey Team. Sportsmanship has always been the priority. In 1973, they began collaborating with the International Hockey Federation.
In 1974, the Indian Women’s Hockey Team made their international debut at the Women’s Hockey World Cup, finishing fourth. Their best performance in the Olympic Games was at the 1980 Moscow Summer Olympics (where they came in 4th) when a women’s event was held for the first time in Olympic history. Rupa Saini was the captain at Moscow 1980, where women’s hockey made its Games debut. Starting and introducing the Women’s Hockey Team was definitely a hit because this whole new introduction gave immense opportunities to women who wanted to pursue and build a career in sports.
Present Scenario of the Indian Hockey Team
Hockey isn’t a game anymore, it has now become an emotion for all the Indians. Despite a lull during the 70’s, Indian Hockey seems to have found its footing and hopefully, the popularity of both Women’s and Men’s Hockey should enable Indian Hockey to become better in the coming years. The most exciting aspect of this game is how it is passed down from generation to generation. This is a game that can never suffer any loopholes or criticisms. The primary reason behind its enduring appeal is the continuous improvement of the entire team day by day.
Challenges Faced By The Indian Hockey Team
Despite the work and progress Hockey has made in these upcoming years, it is still not getting the popularity it actually needs. There are people around us who really follow the Indian Hockey Team passionately. But, the ratio of people following sports other than Hockey is quite high as well. This is leading to a decline in the importance of the Indian Hockey Team. While we all know that Hockey helps to develop leadership skills, discipline, and teamwork in the players, we are overlooking that Hockey is actually one of the oldest sports and has been passed from generation to generation.
There was a time when Indian hockey belonged to that elite category, thanks to the glittering gold medals from the Olympic Games (six in a row and eight overall) and the Men’s World Cup at Kuala Lumpur in 1975. Initially, Indian Hockey received all the attention it needed but recently it has been observed that it is not given the attention it truly deserves from the viewers.
Despite these challenges, Indian Hockey is a great sport that is managed by some of the best coaches. The coaches’ development program has also played its part. The recent advanced types of equipment used in Hockey are also helping this sport to grow and maintain its position. Now, when we talk about the Men’s team, it’s worth noting that Harendra Singh’s junior team from 2016, which won gold at the Junior World Cup in Lucknow, forms the core of the side at the Tokyo Olympics. That’s how it should be. The majority of these players have been playing together from 2014 through 2021, or about seven years. It is their true spirit and unity that is leading them to continuous victory.
In the Women’s team, our female players have far exceeded everyone’s expectations. Theirs is one of the great stories of these Olympics with many unsung heroes in the squad. We talk about Rani Rampal, Savita Punia, and Vandana Katariya, but there are others like Deep Grace Ekka, Sushila Chanu, Monika, Navneet Kaur, Navjot Kaur, and Sharmila Devi who rose to the occasion.
Hockey India stands at a pivotal juncture, presented with a golden opportunity to harness the newfound fervor surrounding the sport and propagate its essence across every echelon – from the very roots of grassroots development to the grandest national stages.
With better opportunities and the right knowledge, every interested individual can focus on participating in sports. Proper planning and knowledge should be made accessible to every individual. Additionally, talented individuals who are occupied with other commitments but are actually very talented should be given the opportunity to engage in this game. The best way to create awareness about this game can be through platforms such as social media and television.
Today’s generation is so consumed by social media that they usually spend most of their time on these platforms. By disseminating information on sports through social media, people who are interested will try to seek out ways to get involved in the game, and with the help of Television people might gain an interest in this particular game which could motivate the youth to follow their passion and develop a new skill. Therefore, it is essential for hockey to become a regular presence on television.
Now let us remember the glorious chapters of our hockey history while actively shaping its future. Together, we can make Indian hockey an emotion and a dynamic force that transcends boundaries, uniting us in our pursuit of sporting greatness. The time has come for us to write a new chapter in the annals of Indian hockey, one that celebrates the spirit of the game and the unwavering determination of those who dare to dream. The future of Indian hockey is in our hands, and it’s time to make it shine brighter than ever before.
Written by – Diksha Chhetri
Edited by – Saba Godiwala