Watching the India – Australia encounter last night in the Hockey World Cup, some things really struck me:
- Indians were way overpowered by the Aussie squad.
- The commentators were terribly mean and biased taking continuous digs at India. They made a ridiculous comment that India declared a national holiday after beating Pakistan, which was ridiculous as the holiday was on account of Holi. They also made a rude comment about Indian traffic. Sitting in India, they have some nerve to be so openly rude.
- The bias of FIH towards Asian players, read browns, is not even masked. Indian striker Shivender was suspended for 3 games later reduced to 2, even when neither Pakistani nor Indians sides had registered a compliant. The decision was taken without even consulting the Pakistani player on whom the foul was committed. The FIH jury later admitted that the tackle was not intentional, yet the sentence was upheld. The previous match between England-Australia saw pretty rough tackles as well, but no one was pulled up, for obvious reasons.
- The Indian players are not even well aware of the Hockey rules as was displayed when an Indian defender put the ball in his possession out of the line, thereby unnecessarily granting a Penalty Corner to the Aussies. This was later translated into a goal by them.
- This shows that Indian training facilities for Hockey are woefully inadequate. No surprises there, considering that the Hockey players were fighting for their rights just a few days back.
- The incompetent people at Hockey India must be given a kick in the butt, and more competent folks brought in, if we really are serious about reviving our National sport.
- It is sad to see the players struggle against way better teams with only their skills to support them.
Is it still a national sport ?? the whole nationa, big brands and also whole lot of money is following cricket. Who has the time for a hockety !!!. So, It’s quite obvious that some commentators were taking a dig at our indian hockey players and on our country too. Offlate we have become parasites and spineless, our government anyway doesn’t do anything for the betterment of this sport and we the citizens also least bothered that including me. Till date I have not watched one single hockey match, but today I make commitment to myself that I will be watching the same hereon.
@Manoj Your honesty is good. I hope that more people like you raise your voices, and at least we can force the government to give Hockey its due. I don’t think the talent or the will is lacking. A lack of facilities and infrastructure couple with the apathy of those in positions of power is the worrisome aspect.
I have been missing out on all the sports action. why? bcoz havent subscribed to any channel, the serials don’t xcite me and the sports channel are full of cricket, thats why.
loved ur insight
@Bhagyashree Thanks. I was off hockey too since many days. Since the World Cup is held in India, I thought of offering my support. And, it struck me that it is such an exciting sport to watch. And, sadly India which was winning Olympic Golds in the past has fallen to such misery due to neglect. Really sad!
You really must get some Indian channels. I hate saas-bahu soaps myself!