HWL 2015: Indian hockey owes a fair success to its fanatic fans
Royal battle for hockey supremacy all set to roll in Raipur today
Many things are at stake as India hosts with nonchalance ease another of major FIH event: the Hero Hockey World League Finals in Raipur. HWL Round 4 is not the do or die kind of battle field for any of the eight participating nations. It’s a majestic tournament for major powers. No qualification label is attached to like every other FIH event.
Mere supremacy in field hockey is what is involved.
The Raipur event, culmination of two-year long second HWL, is a platform for achievers. These eight teams achieved something. That’s why there are here.
Each team’s first objective will be to stand up to their reputation they earned for themselves in the previous rounds.
But the Indian has something beyond.
Foremost is to prove purpose of hosting of major tournament in India is to improve hockey’s popularity rating among the public. Not just hosting simply because it can host.
Our hockey’s popularity will improve provided the team can bring success on the turf.
Hosting big events without matching national team’s performance is counter productive.
There is no doubt on that score.
Coaches of every hue consider tournaments are preparation for targets, which unfortunately in hockey is either Olympics or World Cup. This very attitude is a big hurdle for hockey’s inability to be professional.
For sports loving public, which ultimately translates into market, tournaments are there for winning. Nothing less. Nothing more.
India has rightly established its credential, if at all it is required, as the wonderful and delightful host.
Now it is for the Sardar Singh’s team to fulfil the other objective.
A top three finish will be a decent expectation.
For, the team has got right mixture of exposure in the run up; India is one of the consistent team in terms of continuity of players. Its rare occasion India hosts a major for which it has qualified on merit, not as the right of host.
In the last five years, India hosted five major events.
In 2010, India fared badly in the World Cup. Same year Australia punctured its pride with a tennis score in the Commonwealth Games final. India could not even reach the semifinals of the Junior World Cup thought it was the case in the previous two occasions. Then came last year’s Champions Trophy. Rookie Pakistan put it across India in the bronze medal.
Every tournament except CWG which is not FIH one, India did not live upto the expectations.
It faltered at crucial stage. Public has to return dissatisfied from stands and small screens.
Can hockey survive another flop?
Certainly no, huge no.
There is certainly pressure on India. Public at large has waited for long for it to deliver on big stage. Being the lone torch bearer of Asia in Raipur congregation, the Asian Games gold medallist need to prove its credentials beyond Asia.
Only a medal can satisfy the top billing India has got this year.