Dinesh Kamath's Editorial (Indian hockey needs to be revived) that was published in Newsband

Indian hockey needs to be revived

What has happened to Indian hockey? We finished last at the Olympics this time. How can we regain our past dominant position in hockey?

Indian hockey authorities should hold hockey tournaments at every level – whether local, state, national or international. They should learn from Indian Cricket Authorities. They should promote hockey in the same manner as cricket in India is promoted. Have hockey tournaments which are equal to Ranji Trophy or Duleep Trophy or Indian Premier League (IPL). Such types of tournaments will definitely give terrific boost to Indian Hockey and many super hockey talents can be discovered by this method. These super talents must then undergo rigorous training before they are sent to international tournaments like Olympics.

Twice in the past, India has seen attempts to market the game through such innovative leagues. The Premier Hockey League lasted from 2005 to 2008, but with its one-venue model and limited corporate involvement, the impact was limited.

HIL which is a late entry — it kicks off next year — will prove to be very advantageous. This will not just help to learn lessons from the mistakes committed by the older hockey leagues, but also will tighten the template borrowed from the IPL. By getting the world body to cooperate, the HIL time-frame will not clash with any international hockey event across the globe.

Since hockey has just one format, HIL is immune from the kind of criticism that T20 cricket receives daily. Also, there will be no fears of HIL youngsters compromising on technique or endurance to play the game. It will remain a 70-minute affair on the hockey field but the players will have to run harder, pass faster and trap stronger to get the team owners’ attention. While the league will see foreign stars pocket fat cheques, Indian players can also learn as they earn. It’s a win-win situation for all, if the ever-squabbling hockey officials don’t mess this up.

Such tournaments like HIL will fetch hockey the kind of following the game of Cricket has. Once the big money starts flowing in the spectators will throng the hockey stadiums. Hockey will receive still more boost if celebrities like film stars will play the game to raise some charity funds – just the way they do with cricket. Sufficient financial support from government and also private quarters can make hockey too generate the following that the game of cricket has. It’s high time Indian hockey authorities did something extremely drastic to revive the game of hockey in India.