Exciting times ahead as two Game Changers await

Exciting times ahead for Indian hockey as two Game Changers await

Indian hockey is well on an exciting course – on both domestic and internationals fronts. Starting from next fortnight, hockey port will witness a flurry of activities which will keep its fans clued to its spectacle. Interesting point here is, innovation is going to be the watchword.

If the much awaited World Series Hockey is progressing on the promised phase what with the organizers roping in a big name each passing day, despite more hurdles than positives on its path, an innovative Hockey 9s will unfold in Australia prior to WSH.

The another interesting aspect here is, we, the fans, would be in a thrill of experiencing innovations on both domestic and internationals spheres.

Hockey 9s, which obviously means playing international hockey with 9 players instead of traditional eleven, will be looked upon as a game changer.

However, the coming up of World Series Hockey, a domestic affair of India which is nearly successful in challenging the so-called might of FIH, excites every one of us. It has all the potential to overshadow everything else and prove to be THE game changer.

For those who doubted its fruition, things are clear now. WSH is an in thing, which in itself takes us to a realm of happiness.

That a private sports channel thought of hockey and spending a fortune on it to put together a big innovation what with franchise, grassroot hockey development, 250 players on contrat, we have new new vistas on display, to witness and cherish.

On the international side, which is on all time low due to the withdrawal of Champions Trophy from its shores, the Australia tour brings a bright spot. Interestingly, for the first time in many many years, both our senior men and women teams will be in Australia. This phenomenon occurs after Melbourne Commonwealth Games.

While women will figure in a 4-match Test series against well-entrenched Australia, and then figure in the Hockey 9s. However, the calendar for men are longer and tougher. They will figure in a couple of friendlies before taking up Hockey 9s in a field of four and then move to nearby hub to play in a Four-Nation Cup.

Indian team interestingly will not have a manager. Mukesh Kumar was supposed to mantle this post, but he refused. However, it is worthwhile to note that things changed on such a fast note that he meanwhile regained the lost paradise, Junior National Camp, after usurper Harendra Singh opted to leave the camp due to domestic compulsions.

Now it is reliably learnt Elena Norman, the mysterious CEO of Hockey India will go with the team as Co-ordinator. Md. Riaz, Clarence Lobo, John, Kariappa, a masseur will also be in the support staff besides Michael Nobbs, the chief coach.

Thus, we feel a sizeable chunk of Indian management is from Australia, and they will have to go that extra mile to prove their worth for the Indian team on their own soils.
If everything goes well, stick2hockey.com will be there in Australia to bring you all about this tour.

However, around the same time the Australian sojourn will occur, the WSH is expected to keep us tied to its fast process. Franchises are to be announced, sponsors are to be made public, technical details are to be outlined.

So, starting from next week, we will have lot of hockey action. For a relief and a change, we can forget about feuding factions of hockey bosses.

It is going to be the time for hockey, pure hockey.