MAMTA KHARAB: THE GOLDEN GIRL OF WOMEN’S HOCKEY

While India’s world ranking in terms of hockey is only attributed to the men’s hockey team of India, we fail to acknowledge the efforts put in by the equally able women’s hockey team counterparts. Born into a country where women are still responsible for handling the household and the children, (while the public economic sphere is the man’s world), these women have showed immense courage and dedication to take up the dual role of a homemaker and a professional, fighting against all odds to reach where they are today. Amongst many, one name that pops up is that of Mamta Kharab, who is nicknamed the ‘golden girl’ of women’s hockey for her exceptional contribution to the sport.

Born in the year 1982 in a lower middle class family in Haryana, everyday existence was a challenge for this family of 7. Her father’s job of a primary school teacher could not afford to pay for these 7 sibling’s meals.  But that did not deter her family from enrolling her into a school in the locality and further graduate from MD University, Rohtak. 

As for her impressive career, Mamta played a number of National and International Hockey matches/championships for India.  She is the current captain of the Indian women's hockey team. During the 2002 Commonwealth Games, she scored the winning goal which gave India the Gold after 32 years. She also served as the model for the character of Komal Chautala in the 2007 Bollywood hit, Chak De India. Now she is working in Haryana police as a Deputy Supritendent of Police. She is a recipient of the Arjuna Award.

Mamta Kharab's rise is an example of the struggle that women in Haryana have to make to realise their sporting ambitions. If she can muster her courage, you can too. If you have the passion for the game, you should go live it. With the popularity of the hockey league, the sport is regaining its long lost glory. It’s only a little time to see India become the best hockey team again!

For Aspiring Hockey Players-Part (1)

If you are a hockey lover and aspire to take your hobby at a new level altogether and play this sport on a national level, there are whole lots of things that you’ll have to consider. There has to be a proper diet plan and you need to adhere to it as a slight negligence in it in any way will not just affect your health, but eventually you’ll turn out weaker and this is not going to help you in any way. Hence, if you aspire to be bang-on similar to the Hockey team of India, you’ll have to make sure that you adhere to a full-fledged eating regimen.

The celebrities that you prefer cheering up in those packed auditoriums is not because they are playing, but because they play it really well, iterates a professional from India's Best Hockey league. Now the choice is all yours against whether you are interested in playing and do some more of it or play your heart out and be applauded by the fans. The most important thing that you need to consider is in order to foster your strengths while playing you will have to hydrate, recover and fuel.

As aforementioned, give the body apt and optimal fuel. No matter how much you get tempted towards the junk food, simply cut down the crap as even if didn’t make you realize the effects immediately, it simply will in long term prospects. Stock-on some healthy foods like berries, almonds, cashews, raw carrots, and bananas. Avoid sugar made products as it deters body performance which will just be the last thing in the wish list.

There are two other imperatives that a hockey player should be serious about and I would be taking it up on my following blog. Till then stay tuned to this space.

A Parent’s Guide To Hockey For Their Kids

Struggling to find the perfect fit of a sport for your kid? Give field hockey a shot and both you and your child will be adopting not a sport but a lifestyle you will be proud of. If like me, safety is your concern being a parent of a lively and outgoing child, field hockey is your best bet. It is a non-contact sport where risks of hitting the ball or being hit by another player is minimal. Being a tactical skill, players will focus on game play and building technique rather than showing off their strength.

Or, if you are looking for a game to improve your kid’s health and social skills, this sport again beats others. Being a team sport kids bond up really well and constant activity keeps them fit and mentally agile, says players of hockey leagues in India. Well the benefits of it are immense and out of the scope of this particular blog. Here we will discuss what you would want to know first as you choose hockey for your kid.

Safety and equipment

Before your child can say turf, the first thing you would want to ensure is that he is braced up with proper safety equipment and gear, advices a Indian hockey player and coach. Well, for mums, nothing comes before protection so let’s start with the essentials. You would want to invest in a good quality mouth guard. They protect your child from mouth injuries by falling face first and also they are a must. If you will go for cheaper versions, they are uncomfortable to wear and may compromise safety. Next you need a shin guard and some nice cleats. Cleats in particular are a fashion statement. 

So children may tend to overlook protection and quality. Well, the blend of both is pretty costly, and not advised for growing kids. Your job would be to keep them firm on quality footwear. If he is not the goalie, there is no other protection required. Just buy him a good stick and he is good to go! 

For more info please check www.delhi-waveriders.in/.

Delhi Waveriders: Hockey Team’s Winning Story

The India’s Hockey League (HIL) was inaugurated during the year 2013 and has been recorded as the latest development in the sport of Hockey since history. The fascinating concept of a city-based franchise system like we saw during the IPL has proved to be quite a success, even in Hockey. Each city franchise featured players from different parts of the world who played alongside some of our best domestic players.
 

It would have been a crazy idea when it was first put forward. Who would’ve thought that the Delhi Waveriders led by Sardar Singh would emerge as such a successful hockey team? They were runners-up to Ranchi Rhinos in the first edition of HIL, while they bagged the title the following year.
AK Bansal, who was the team’s coach during the first season of HIL, says the success of his team owes to the flexibility and openness of all the players. They all learnt to adjust with each other, no matter how different they were culturally. Delhi’s hockey team consisted of big names from abroad like Jason Wilson and Matthew Gohdes from Australia, Mujtaba from Denmark, and Simon Childs from New Zealand among others. They played alongside some of our best players from within the country.
 

In the championship-winning year (2014), skipper Sardar Singh emerged as the disciplined midfielder, while Rupinder Pal Singh, Kiwi Steve Edwards and Aussie Tristan White playing on the defense side contributed to the team’s strong point. They collectively led Delhi Waveriders to win during the second edition of Hockey India League.
 

All in all, it was a great year for the Sardar-led team who choked the life out of their opponents by executing their strategy well. HIL might have changed the way Hockey is played around the world, thus bringing our national sport to get the attention it deserves.

How To Handle The Stick In Hockey

What’s the thing with stick handling in hockey? Read on to know more.
 

One of the most crucial stick handling basics is to keep your head up. After all, you can’t know what might happen while you are busy looking at the puck- your callousness might serve as a blessing in disguise for the opponent and he might get away with a shot or two, says a hockey player from the hockey team of India. You are likely to lose scores at the hands of the opponent you didn’t know was near you that ways.

 

The second tip that might come across as a game-saver is not to hold the stick too tightly, or as they put it in hockey-terms – use soft hands. Handle it gently so that you don’t tighten your grip. Think of it as an egg, and handle it carefully enough so as not to break the shell.
 

The next thing that ought to be taken into consideration, says a member of Hockey League in India, is the length of the stick. The shorter your stick, the easier it would be for you to pull across a shot, and the better it would be. On the ice, your stick should come up close to chin, and of the ice, a stick close till nose would be good enough.
 

Stick handling is not as easy as it may look like on the boundary. While practicing stick handling, try to reach out as far as possible on both the sides with the puck. This will help you maneuver the other players around and take over the game.
 

Stick handling is one thing that requires a great deal of commandment. That’s the first thing that should be on the cards in case you are planning to take up on the field.

Master Wrist Shot

The wrist shot is in fact one of the most effective shots in field hockey. Being one of the precise shots it is released fairly quickly owing to the speed and force with which it is hit. This is the shot which a player must engage into learning if he intends to make a place in big and popular hockey teams. True that it is not that as quick as a slap shot is but with proper techniques and with the strength of your upper body, wrist shot can count and pass for one of the most powerful shots.
 

Basics
 

Ensure that you have a proper grip over the stick and learn to have a proper hockey stance as all the professionals in various hockey league India are versed with. To add power to your wrist shot move your lower hand halfway and position the body at a 45-degree angle in regard to the net. Bring your stick behind and place it in the middle of the blade and rotate the wrist to ensure that the blade is tilted over the puck. Shift your weight on your back leg then.

Initiate a sweeping action while you transfer your weight towards the front foot and rotate your body forward. When the stick blade crosses your body, transfer your weight on the stick while pushing it forward with your lower hand and backward with the hand on the top. The stick will be released as it will reach your front foot. In the action make sure that your shoulders are square to the net. If you are a keen observer, you will see this technique several times when the hockey teams are in the ground.
 

At the time of this release of the puck, the wrist turns putting the puck in action when the blade turns out. Once the puck is released, set the target by pointing the toe of the stick. In addition to this the height of your shot depends on the magnitude by which you rotate the stick.
And just this! Happy sweating!

Why You Should Watch Hockey

Hockey might not be as popular as baseball, cricket or basketball, yet it is one of those sports that require deep knowledge and attention to detail to comprehend. Hockey leagues India have long been trying to push the sport back on the top, and supporting their cause are a few reasons that can definitely motivate a start.
 

It is fast-paced
 

With hockey, it’s a non-stop action on the field. Unlike many other games like baseball and football, there are a very few breaks and on an average a player plays for as long as 45 seconds at a time. It shouldn’t come as a surprise if you find yourself gasping for breath, just like the players.
 

It takes skill to play the sport
 

It takes dexterity of another magnitude to understand the game and play it in line with the game ethics. Players need to be in excellent shape and should have a strong base. Being able to handle the equipment with deft and technique is indispensable; the game depends entirely on the sportsperson’s pick on the stick. To be able to chisel a way out through the traffic is another imperative that the player must possess. 
 

It takes physicality to stay in the sport
 

If you have seen hockey players of Hockey leagues in India, you would know how much of physical fitness is required to dish out a fair game on the ground. Hockey, undeniably, is one of the most physical sports around and at times protection equipment can’t help much with the hitting thing. Blocking pucks requires physical fitness of a magnanimous degree. The players need to be pepped up all the time to play the game with ease and vigour.

Hockey, as it turns out, is the most challenging of all sports in India. And if challenges are your cup of tea, give hockey a shot!

Scope Of Hockey In Present Times

Essentially every sportsperson intends to make a name for himself, contributing to his team’s victory. Hockey being a national sport in India has many young and passionate followers, but when it comes to showcasing correct sporting techniques, many lack the required skills owing to the monetary marginalization the sport faces.
 

Though with the rising number of hockey leagues in India, many sports enthusiasts have got a platform to make it to our national hockey team, the fact remains we in India do not have enough resources to meet the growing popularity of the sport.
 

To help such sportsperson’, here are few tips for them from few members of the hockey team India.
-Realize the importance of a right position for making a shot. A right position ensures a perfect and clean shot.
 

-Stay ready for the pass. As one of the member of hockey team India states being active on the field have got to do with a healthy mind. It is a mental block better left to the coaches to deal with.
 

- Since shooting high increases the probability of making a goal, many players make sure they shoot high. But in several hockey leagues in India it has been observed that players go down on their knees, to block the shots, leaving the higher portion of the net unprotected. So it is important to come up with a right action plan.
 

-It is most advisable to stay fit. Staying fit includes following a daily work out regime and sticking to a healthy diet. It is utmost necessary to remain hydrated and maintaining an optimal amount of water level in body.
 

My concluding words will be while there are many hearts which beat for hockey, there still remain various obstacles to tackle. The sport strongly needs your constant encouragement and appreciation for the players to bring laurels.

Work On Mental Strength Besides Skills In Hockey

The game of hockey is brimming with passion. The drive for victory is what keeps the players and spectators hooked to it. With each goal scored and every near miss, the hoot and cry of the crowd varies. Players put in their best efforts and treat each game as a war.
 

However, in this sport amid the avid passion, there are chances of going overboard with it. Young teams, who lack the training and composure, are often found struggling with some rash players. Such players might be able to create a spectacular show once or twice or they may receive cheering from the crowd, but it doesn’t work if you are aspiring to make it big.
 

Expert trainers of national hockey team advice youngsters to keep adrenaline under check. Violence is demeaning to the spirit of the sport and themselves. This is why, coaches are advised to keep a check on all this and take strong measures. 
 

Beside the technicalities, learning to keep your composure under pressure and discipline are crucial skills to master, says a successful hockey team trainer. Any friction can turn into a row within a matter of seconds, and such behaviour is not only unacceptable on field but it brings down your own and your team’s reputation. You would certainly be showed out of field, which will chop off your chances of playing well and sharing the fame.
 

So, in order to overcome this difficulty, coaches should discourage such things from the start. There should be mental exercises and training to keep their calm, even when instigated. They undergo a lot of stress and once they gain the much yearned popularity, fan pressure is an important and ever pressing aspect. Cheering crowd in a full packed stadium and people are holding photos of hockey players, some of which are yours: the thought is invigorating and its desire can build up a lot of pressure. So, something like meditation and mental training drills are necessary for their mental strength.
 

As it is said, in hockey, the mental mathematics can make or mar the game. Learn to focus and to keep that focus unfaltering till the end. You will avoid pitfalls and perform over and above expected norms. With the ability to perform under pressure you can turn the game on your side just when the opponents begin to give way to pressure and frustration.     

Importance of Protective Gear

Hockey is a passionate and energetic game. The dynamic surge equally affects the fans and players. And while you are on the field, you can easily get absorbed in the moment up to an extent that you can risk yours or someone else’s safety.  With its speed and flow, it is impossible and rather foolish to get down on field without sufficient protection.

So, if you are a parent getting ready to send your child to start his hockey lessons, it is imperative that you buy him proper and good quality protective gears. The trainers of hockey team of India underline the vitality of professional safety gears for young children and suggest that it should not be taken lightly. They are of the view that with young children, the game can go astray and wild any moment which can result in an accident. So you must make sure that the whole world of opportunities that the game has to offer, should be explored with safety.

You must lace them up with sports shoes that are light weight and cosy under the sole. Players of hockey team of India are very particular of their footwear even on personal practice days. Since the game involves foot work and by foot work I mean rigorous foot work, it is important that the feet are cushioned and protected. Sore legs, blisters and sprains shouldn’t get in the way. Besides this, paddings of injury prone parts are also required. Knees and elbows are most prone to nicks and tears, but with continuous rough exposure they can get badly torn. Then shoulder pads and protective cups are also extremely essential.

Moreover, if you are child is playing as the goalie it is outright vital that he takes necessary precautions. You can show him photos of hockey players who are his favourite, dressed in gears to motivate him to put safety first.

Thus, with all these precautions your children will surely hit the mark and perform well.     

Hockey: Focus And Physical Training are Equally Important

Champions are not born from a womb but are self-made men, who sweated enough and pushed their limits. No sport can be mastered without these qualities, and hockey is no different. If you like to idealize the winners and performers, you can become like one. However, the catch to it completely lies in how much you are ready to give to your game.
 

Even for the best hockey teams, it all starts with stern physical training. Build muscle strength, boost your stamina level, and be really quick on your legs. Your success story starts only after this. So, pay your ‘physical dues’ as an athlete and carve a niche for yourself. And trust me; the fruits are worth all that. If you are looking for shortcuts, there aren’t any. Build your technique and master the nitty-gritties of the sport.
 

However, rigorous physical training also, is a lopsided story. In order to get your name listed amid the big hockey players names you need to focus on the mind game as well. Once you are ready to hit the field for an important match, the only thing that shapes your victory is your mental state. You have already practiced the techniques and fitness drills, but do you have the required focus to implement it. You must have the calmness to overcome and let go of mistakes, a mental reproach of more than a millisecond during the match can be harmful for your game. Moreover, build up the focus required to administer the best goals, correct mistakes and watch out opponents’ moves all at the same time.
 

Even the best hockey teams admit that it is the psychology that changes games rather than technique. The perfect balance between confidence and brashness needs to be maintained. If you go in too nervous, you will come out bitterly disappointed realizing all your fears have come true.
 

Hence as a hockey player you should to commit to improve your mental game as well. And hard work is the key to it!          

Learning Field Hockey- Beginner to Better

Joining the club of Field Hockey fans and you can count me in. It has been a couple of years since I became a fan. A few years ago, I was unaware about the sport and neither was eager to find out about it in detail leave alone understanding the skills needed to take home the coveted trophy.
I was not much of a sportsperson besides the regular early morning jog, but have come to enjoy the game better after I was invited to be part of the college hockey team. The team welcomed me with enthusiasm and after they learnt I was a newbie to this sport, both coaches gave a few great advices that I shall remember for life.

I am going to be very honest. When I attended the first practice session, it was a bit difficult to get attuned to it. I was tired, but the motivation kept me going. I focused on catching up with my peers while ensuring that their experience does not affect me. This way I had the opportunity to learn valuable skills from seasoned players who were part of hockey leagues in India. One fact that helped me was that I was not alone. There were others too who were new. I was a bit better off than my new teammates, being athletic, my stamina levels are good.
 

The coaches were supportive and helpful. Each hockey team player would get personalized attention. The coaches would personally demonstrate how to improve shots. This helped us understand the game and our role in it better. The personal objective was to be able to improve field hockey skills, and where I lacked was balancing the puck with the hockey stick. At first, I was reluctant because I had no idea how to control the puck. After a couple practices, tackling became much fun and I felt like a pro. All I needed was to work on the timing and positioning on field that gave me time-out from injuries.

After many games and a few wins, I believe I still have room for improvement. I started as a beginner, but with time, proper coaching and loads of practice, I have become a better-experienced field hockey player.

Time management is important for those who want to excel in sports-part (2)

In conjunction to last post titled as, “Time management is important for those who want to excel in sports”, follow up of my blog talks about a proper schedule that ought to be followed by aspiring hockey players, who want to have their team, very similar to hockey team India. 

Prior to the match night: No matter how tiring the day was for you, just make sure that you go to bed by 9 at night. It is recommended that it’s good to meditate for an hour or so, prior to sleeping. This is because once you go to sleep; your body is relaxed at that time and here’s when you will be able to improve your concentration power. Instead of compromising with your sleep in any which way, make sure that you sleep for atleast eight hours to be able to play well, the next day. 

Early Morning: once you wake up, doing yoga and meditation seems to be a good option. It aligns your body and further prepares it well for the action. No matter how many hockey player names you count, every hockey player does it, which is good for health. After early morning yoga session, a light jog or brisk walking would be rejuvenating for your body. 

Nutrition: post doing yoga and exercises, you can set out for a healthy brunch. Do not mistake of missing your breakfast. This is because breakfast is the most important meal of the day and skipping it in regular intervals is likely to take a toll on overall health. 

Hydration: Last on my list, but definitely not the least, make sure that your body is hydrated all day long. This is because if your body will hydrated, you won’t feel enthusiastic and consequentially, you will not be able to concentrate on your matches in any way, which I am sure would be the last preferred thing in your wish list. 

To conclude, keep a check over each of these and follow religiously to be able to play well in long run.

Time management is important for those who want to excel in sports (part1)

Hello people! A whole hearted welcome to this space and you’ll get to know about different things about what all can be done to prepare for your hockey match to be able to play dedicatedly.

It cannot be discarded in any which way that time management plays a very important role in any aspect of life and those who have a good strategy and know what ought to be done by which time; things become much easier and convenient to track. The same is applicable in sports genre as well. No matter you want to have your own best hockey team or you want to play basketball and so as cricket, you must know how to manage your time well. It has been seen ample times that those who do follow a fixed routine are bound to become successful players and a good human being, in long run.

It is not only about school teams who wish to play like a professional Indian hockey player, at times even professionals lose track of what they are up to and to bring themselves in form, they again have to work hard to follow their pre-game schedule.  Indian hockey player are given strict instructions and they are asked to adhere to that scheduled regimen for every day. Thus, those of you, who want to be a professional player and have their best hockey team, there’s a set of fixed rules and regulations, which must be followed. Though I have many things to keeping to this space, but I am saving it, till I come back with my next post. Till then, stay hooked to this space.  

The best of Indian Hockey

The sport of field hockey fills up quite a few pages in the rich and glorifying parts of Indian history. India has time and again produced legendary hockey players for the world to witness. Dhyan Chand is definitely the first name that comes to mind while speaking about legends, he was nick named ‘the wizard’ for his magical performances on the field. With an unbeaten record of more than 400 goals scored in his international hockey carrier. Dhyan Chand is undoubtedly the best hockey player that ever lived. Such was his excellence that it left the opponents doubting whether his stick was made of wood or not? Another fabulous Indian hockey player is none other than Dhanraj Pillay. He is arguably the best forward in world of hockey till date, best known for his dribbling skills. It was said that Dhanraj Pillay was so quick with the ball that he could penetrate any defence line with players considerably younger to him.  The current flock of players also have massive potential and players like Sandeep Singh, Affan Yousuf and Yuvraj Walmiki seem promising.
 

The Indian men’s field hockey team held the title of the best hockey team in the world for a long period of time. It was an era when India won 6 consecutive gold medals in the Olympics; even today India holds the record of the most successful hockey team in the history of Olympics with 8 gold medals. In the 80s India started to lose grip on the game and is still going through a rough patch. Currently, according to the International Hockey Federation (FIH) ranking system the position of top International Men’s hockey team is held by Australia and in women’s category the title is held by Netherlands, whereas Indian men and women teams are at 8th and 13th position respectively.

Indian Hockey Player: Playing and Performing to the Expectations

Summary:
Young Indian hockey players have got a golden opportunity to play in front of hundreds of thousands of spectators and make a name for themselves.

Hockey fans do not stop believing and the success of Hero Hockey India League (HHIL) is another shining example of it. The tournament has proved everyone wrong who thought it would not be able to attract audiences back to the stadium. Young Indian hockey players could not have asked for a bigger or better opportunity. They’ve got the right platform to show their skills to both the selection committee and spectators.
 

Hockey team Delhi has included some of the brightest young players to have the right balance. These players have got a dream debut by playing alongside the most popular hockey players in the world. These kinds of game would definitely prepare them to play and perform in big matches. It would help them to cope with the mental and physical pressure and strengthen them to compete at the top level.
 

Nurturing and Preparing Indian Hockey Players
 

There have been a plenty of positives to take from the recently concluded tournament. The nation has got its next batch of players who would represent it at the international level. It has also brought optimism among players playing at the school and state level. They can draw courage and inspiration from these players and keep on performing for respective teams. It would strengthen their belief in 

the system.
 

Hockey Team Delhi and the Future of Club Hockey
 

The club-based hockey culture is new in the country. It is a proven model in other parts of the world. Several other sports like football have been following it quite successfully. Hockey fans showed their love and commitment by booking seats for the second season in advance. They’re waiting for an opportunity to show it and HHIL gave them the platform to support their teams and players. They want to see the national hockey team sitting at the top of ranking table.

The Qualities of a Best Coach

A good coach is capable of making best hockey team the. There are certain things that are expected from a coach which really makes him worth to be called as the same. A great coach is something that can really make the team play to its best. He should be able to inspire each and every member of the team so that they start playing to their maximum. There are various traits that are looked in a coach which can make him really great than just being good.

Humility is the first factor that can make a great coach. Most of the coaches want their team to win every matches they play, irrespective of the circumstances. This kind of mentality from the coaches can only make it really hard for the Indian hockey player to play well. The coach should be able to consider the team and should not have the mentality to evaluate him through the number of trophies that his team made under his training. If the coach is supportive and provides the adequate opportunities for the players, then there is a possibility for the team to win the match easily. A stress less environment is something that is necessary for making the team play well.
 

If you really want be a best Indian hockey player then you should be able to get coaching of a great coach who is having the time and patience to understand the players. A great coach will have adequate time for understanding each and every player in the team. The coach should also listen to the players with patience and respect so that he get the same back from them. If the coach is much arrogant and tries to implement something then the whole team can get collapsed and they won’t even be able to play well.
 

The communication that the coach has with the team members is an essential factor that can keep a good binding between the team members. Best hockey team can be possible only when the coach teaches the players to have good communication with each other. The team should be told that the player who is weak in the team determines the strength of the team and the each one should support the weaker player. When the coach has a kind of passion towards the game and the team, then the players can feel it a better experience and make their team play well despite of any adversities and flaws.

HIL Making Hockey Popular Across Different Sections

A sport like hockey would never lose its place in our hearts. The emotional bonding we share with it is unparallel to any other sport this country has ever participated in. We’re proud of our feet in hockey and it is one thing which no one is ever going to take away from us. Hockey India has taken some bold steps to popularize it in times when cricket is what the whole nation is talking and thinking about. Hockey League India is a premium league where top national and international players play for respective clubs.

Hockey Leagues in India are getting popular with several top players participating in it. It is a new concept however the business model continues to be the same as followed in other sports leagues around the world.

Sharing Success Stories of Players to Attract Masses and Classes

There are certain sports which represent you as a society and nation. People have been playing, following and supporting these sports from generations. They do not even know for how long they’ve been doing it. There was not much missing in terms of social appeal however lack of efforts pushed it to the last in the list of sports to be followed.

A sporting event like Hockey League India provides an opportunity to aspiring young players to watch the favorite players in action. It would start the rebuilding process by making people aware of the talent we’ve and support it requires to break into the top half of table. It is also a great opportunity to make children learn and know more about the game.

Famous hockey player names bring people back to the hockey field

The Indian Hockey League attracts talented players from different parts of the world. You would find all big hockey player names included in the list. It is one of those events which can ignite the passion and make people fall in love with the game all over again.

These events prove to be the right kind of investment model for governing bodies like Hockey India to gain the attention, apart from the commercial values it has. You can imagine the kind of reaction it would receive when some of the most famous field hockey players take part in it. It is only going to make people proud of the game they love and increase the chances of parents taking children to the hockey field and sharing success stories with them.

The growing popularity of Hockey Leagues in India has brought the attention back to one of the most celebrated sports. It has won us the love and respect of the world.

Hockey: the lost pride of India

Anything that symbolizes a nation becomes a part and parcel of its pride, honour and name. Taking the same theory, hockey, the national sport of India is a part and a way to serve India’s national interest. Starting from 1920 to the 1950s, this was the golden era of Indian hockey with a craze that united whole of India and bound it together in a single game. In this period, India gave phenomenal legends like Dhanchand and Roop Singh to the world of hockey. It was during this time that India captured 8 Olympic gold medals along with many major world events.

But this trend is diminishing today and with it, it is destroying India’s image as it falls in international hockey to an all time low of 9th position. Many reasons can be attributed to this fall starting from a few stated below.

1.    Emergence of cricket:
 

With the emergence of Cricket especially in the men’s format, the wonder of major hockey player names has seen a fall in fan following. The rise of cricket lords like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, M.S. Dhoni or even the present day Kohli and their lustre of shear class has overshadowed the charm of hockey.

2.    The IPL fever:
 

Cricket was hovering above all sports, but the emergence of the IPL has made the game even bigger by taking it to a different level and producing new star.

3.    Lack of sponsors:
 

The sponsors have also fallen for the enhancing presence of cricket and ignored other major sports like hockey leading to a lack of infrastructure and support for these sportsmen. No sports can sustain without continual support of finance and infrastructure either from the corporate or from the government and hockey, at present is getting neither of those. Even the brand ambassadorship of major MNCs has replaced hockey player names with the new celebrities or cricket stars.

All has not ended for hockey with trials being made at every front to bring back the sports to its past grandeur with steps like organising hockey world cup in India and hockey league India. Other than the major club league, the domestic competitions are also receiving minor corporate sponsorships right now.

The hockey league India is considered to be a major step due to its grand success. So let’s not forget our past glory in hockey and try to increase our hockey skills to give respect to our national sport and great nation.