It does not happen all the time, but when so the joy and merry doubles. Its rarely Indian men and women hockey teams reach the finals of any significant tournament.
It was in 1982, both men and men were in a final of a hockey major. At Delhi in the Shivaji Stadium, girls led by Eliza Nelson, aided by young sensation Rajbir Rai, won the Gold. However, the men fizzled out the next day.
Many years later, Pritam Rani’s Indian team was very close the repeat the 82 feat at Bangkok, but was done in the final narrowly. Silver was worthy though. But the men compensated and went on to win their gold after 32 years break.
IHF and IWHF, who controlled men and women hockey respectively, never saw eye to eye and hardly organized any events simultaneously.
It was again in the Afro Asian Gaames that both men and women competed, and interesting won the both.
Then came many chances for both genders to grow and grab the limelight, like home Commonwealth Games, and before that at Melbourne.
Rajinder Singh Juniors team could not make it to the Melbourne CWG semis, but the girls made vast amends. But for Sumrai Tete’s injury, India even came close to upsetting the applecart of the hosts.
That was an exciting final in which one goal took away the honour from Indian girls.
Now, Indian women will play their final today followed by Men tomorrow.
On this day, Indians will all hope to see a replay of Hyderabad – 2003