On many fronts, from Indian or global standpoint, the ongoing Hockey India League scores on many vital factors that can redefine the future course the conservative game may take, but as of now some shortcomings that stark on the face need to be weeded out to make it a potentially a popular entity.
Four out of five teams qualify for the semi-finals: If Mumbai Magicians qualify for the semis after so many loses then one wonders what’s the point of having so many matches? There is little fear amongst teams to perform well because in the end, it’s only one team that will be relegated. A look at the points table after 80% of the games are over, and there aren’t any awards for guessing who is most likely to be relegated. Thank God for UPW who gave life to MM.
Does it improve the standard of Indian Hockey? Now that 25 matches are over, the question is: Name a few Indian players, with the exception of current Indian team players (both seniors and juniors) whose game impresses you? If you struggle beyond a Malak Singh here and a Mandeep Singh there, you have answered the above question. The League seems to go a long way. The rules facilitate 10 foreign players out of 24 in each team, and 5 foreign players can be fielded at any given time during a game. This does not give adequate opportunity for the unknown lots to make it to the bigger cut.
Bite this, of 100+ goals scored in the league, just over 50% of them have come from Indian players. Now, leave aside Sandeep Singh, Rupinderpal and VR Raghunath, the goal tally goes down to still less. Even further, if you reduce Indian senior/junior members – SV Sunil, Gurwinder Chandi, Dharamvir Singh , Akashdeep Singh, etc. – the figure will drop down drastically further. One can easily say this is the League of refinement of the current Indian team players. There is little in it for those who haven’t made it to the National team.
Poor Commentary: Each person who is interviewed on television says just one thing: Hockey India League is the best thing ever to happen to Indian Hockey. It will take Hockey a long way in India. Some even say, this is the biggest League of the World! When every another person you feature on the screen says the same thing over and over again, you do two things: either you doubt it or you just ignore it.
Most of the commentators are former players. Its an opportunity for them to reminisce their playing years, and enrich our knowledge. Unfortunately, they harp on field proceedings, and have nothing to add on technical maters.
During the game when commentators discuss Chak De India (a movie that released 5 years back) girls, the artificiality strikes on the face, one intends to mute the television.
Commentators’ bias towards players of their region or likes, repetition of same points match after match, lack of creative thinking do no good to tv watchers.
English commentary brings in a different plethora of problems. Here commentators fumble with their word selection, many times.
Female anchors add glamour for young generation, but they need to combine skills with commentary.
Public response: All UP Wizards matches were held on holidays, Saturday and Sunday. Apart from the first game, where the stadium was full to watch Katrina Kaif, etc., public did not turn up in good numbers; Most of them are from the ranks of Sahara. Delhi, Jalandhar and Mumbai did not score much either. Innovative ideas to bring crowd is a complete miss. Only Ranchi scores on crowd so far.
Video referrals are must at least in the next edition onward.
There is a facebook page, dedicated website that takes hockey to new gen. Players are getting good money and something good is happening for Indian Hockey. But it is time to go beyond.
It’s time the organizers look into quality aspect as a whole.