We all know what happened in Chile in 2008. India was playing the qualifiers and was unable to qualify for the Beijing Olympics. It was the first time since 1928 that Indian men were not representing our National Game at the mega event. Since then there have been a lot of changes that have happened in Indian hockey.
Four years later India has got the chance to undo what happened to them in Chile. This time around they are playing in the conditions that are known to them; this time around they are playing in a stadium which is named after the man -- Major Dhyanchand who taught the world how this game is played.
India is the highest ranked team in the qualifiers and has had a good run coming into the tournament. Every hockey player who will take the field will have this in the back of his mind that he has the opportunity to change the stature of this game in the country which no more wants to see players with a hockey stick rather they will sit for an entire day to watch players with cricket bats.
In the last three decades, Indian hockey has lost the connection that it once had and people now have more reasons to criticize the most loved game than to like it and without fail they are doing it.
The stage is set for the Indian team to rise from the ashes and bring India the ultimate glory or at least to take us there. The players have had enough opportunities; know it’s time for them to deliver. Going by what we have seen in the recent past India should cruise to London.
It is a known fact that even if India qualifies for the Olympics, it will not make it the number one sport in India. It’s always going to be Cricket. But, by qualifying Indian hockey can ensure that they will not lose any more fans and will earn a bit of lost respect. By qualifying Team India can give the reason to the spectators to respect them again and take their game seriously. And maybe the auto drivers will once in a while discuss Indian hockey with their commuters and not how the cricket team lost again.
By Gaurav Jha
Indian Sports News
