School Hockey: Old Modernites organize a competit

It’s near the end of early morning, around 9 on the clock. A sylvan setting is laced with mist, even as the sun tries to clear it. The dew spots on the grass radiate sparkles. A majestic tall building just outside the Modern School play grounds gives a perfect setting. Amidst the mist and sun dual play, students gather for regular

prayer in the near by open veranda. The play ground, slightly an upland, with periphery compound in place, is lush green, except in those places where activity is meximum. As in the striking circle area where grass is almost nil. That is acceptable. As minutes go by, former Modern School inmates arrive in good numbers.

It is nice of them they thought of hockey. The Old Modern School alma mater are organizing this day their 4th edition of Inter-School hockey tournament. As the day was former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s birth anniversary, a school bus gets delayed and they were supposed to play the first match of the day. No problem. The school that turned up early – Bhatnagar International School Vasant Kunj – gets warmed up.

They are seventh class students. I asked a boy who appear to be shortest in the stock, have you seen Chak De India. He nodded in a big way. How many times, I persisted. “No counts. I saw many times”. Did your parents allow so many times? No I went theatre only twice. Then I saw in the computer repeatedly. It is good film. I liked it very much.”
Did he take up hockey because of Chak De.? No, sir. Last year also I was in the team and played this tournament. But now jeet ne ka man kar raja hi (Now am itching to win).

So, there is Chak de every where. Almost all the students I spoke had seen the film and have high praise for it. And, very significantly they were not first timers, but there is a growing feeling in them. That is about wining, not just playing. Chak De has certainly worked on these kids minds. >

Meanwhile time catches up. I have to leave. I could not see a match. But am sure that will be intensely fought. But what etches in my mind is when a asked a boy whether his team will defeat the host today. His reply was prompt, and very pertinent to all of us concerned with hockey. We are from seventh class. If they play same class we will. If they put the ninth class, we will not?

This fellow has said more than many media would have collectively highlighted — the age problem that plagues Indian hockey. > >