Bhubneswar and Guwahati take centre stage as Ipoh set for India-Pak clash today
The outcome of India-Pakistan contests at hockey counts enormous significance in the socio-milieu context of both countries despite its questionable sporting merit. The two neighbours have to live with this reality even though their standing amidst the comity of hockey nations vary widely, sports a chequered course.
A recent event corroborates it.
Last January, Pakistan’s senior team won the South Asian Federation Games in Guwahati in which the hosts did not field its best 33 players. The bulk of Indian elite were instead seen in action the Hockey India League that started before the SAF Games.
Pakistan team, as usual with a new coach and new management, brought its best of talents. The visiting outfit won both the league and the final, with slender margin.
Pakistan have won the SAF Games titles in Sri Lanka and Dhaka editions before without much celebration back home.
But this time, the Pakistan victory elicited wide celebration in Pakistan. The team met the Prime Minister, got good rewards, was written about, even many considered it as a sign of revival of Pakistan hockey which is undoubtedly at its worst phase right now.
The Guwahati victory had no sporting merit. Yet, hockey management highlighted it for a variety of reasons.
The reason obviously is each other seeks survival in each other’s win or loss. At this juncture, it fits more to Pakistan.
For the players it is very important and emotional to win India-Pak match. The winning team always take a victory round despite it is a pool match or low ranking one, enters into wide celebration off the court surely.
As an exception, a section of Pakistan team even went on to showcase middle fingers after winning in Bhubneswar two winters ago!
The teams engage themselves today at Ipoh in the Sultan Azlan Shah tournament.
Both teams have lined up their best of players. Some injuries always take away some good players so also this time.
In a way, this contest comes after India lost the semis of Champions Trophy in Bhubneswar.
Hockey India is particular that Pakistan Federation did not tender any apology to it for the players’ Bhubneswar.
Indian captain Sardar Singh, while justifying exclusion of Pakistan players from the Hockey India League, said that he toed Hockey India’s line that Pak should tender apology for Bhubneswar.
The off the cuff remark was received angrily across the border. For, players don’t comment on such things which is normally the domain of administrators.
Except the existing somewhat cold environ, today’s contest doesn’t evoke much interest.
This writer has seen enormous time India-Pak tie not bringing much crowd, far less than matches involving the home team.
Despite reasonable media focus in both countries, Ipoh turf is not set on fire with India-Pak contest which is a cold fact.
Unless and until both countries are able to lift their international standing, its difficult to bring back the aura of India-Pak matches.
Both teams struggle here in Ipoh though India has more points in its kitty than Pak’s.
Pak will try to change it with today’s victory.
While Bhubneswar beckons India for seeking sporting revenge, Pakistan would like to relive Guwahati.