A resurgent hockey team
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: February 28, 2012 -

One of the most heartening moments for sports lovers – especially for those who follow the game of hockey with passion, happened on Feb 26 when the Indian men’s team qualified for the Olympics.

What makes this qualification that much more satisfying is the comprehensive manner in which the Indian team thrashed France by eight goals to one, in the final of the Olympic qualification tournament.

That the Indian team would be once again playing in the Olympics after missing out on two previous editions will bring a sense of relief to many followers of the game in the country.

And anyway, what is a hockey tournament –Olympics, World cup or the Champions Trophy without the presence of Indian team. Every sports enthusiast in the country would be hoping that this phase will mark the much awaited turn around for Indian Hockey from the slump it has been going though for quite some years.

The way the Indian team played throughout the qualification tournament turning in consistent showing in every match it played, has definitely upped the ante, with many people, including those who are knowledgeable about the games and former players, already talking about an Olympic medal.

The widespread euphoria the win has generated has also translated into something tangible for the players and the support staff. While Hockey India and Lalit group of hotels awarded Rs 2 lakh each to the players and Rs 1 lakh to the support staff, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also announced an award of Rs one lakh each to all the members.

Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, meanwhile, announced cash reward of Rs 5 lakh per goal scored by each player from Haryana in the final match and Rs 1 lakh per goal scored in other matches in the tournament.

This is over and above the Rs 11 lakh a player hailing from Haryana would get and Rs 2.5.5 lakh to each player of Indian team.

Sandeep Singh who hails from Haryana and who scored five goals in the final in addition to the 11 goals in other matches of the qualifying tournament would be richer by around Rs 40 lakh in the aftermath of the Olympic qualification.

All these are signs of a brighter future for the players and augers well for hockey in the country in the days to come.

After a long time, the game of hockey is gaining in popularity and renowned personalities from various spheres of society, corporate houses and state government are coming forward to support the players.

But in the midst of the euphoria and celebrations, we should not forget that it is just a beginning in our quest for a medal in hockey in the London Olympics.

The players and those who are running the sport in the country should guard against complacency, for the countries which this Indian team will encounter in the Olympics are sure to provide far greater challenge than those which participated in the qualification tournament.

Now is the time for a thorough reassessment of the team, work on the possible chinks with renewed vigour. It is also important to shield the players from any adverse fall out of the present tussle between Hockey India (HI) and Indian Hockey Federation (IHF).

The players on their part should let the present adulation distract them from the task ahead and put in their best effort to put the revival of Indian hockey team on the right track.