HISTORY: Indian women’s hockey too has a rich legacy, but was only eclipsed by the unique supremacy that their men’s counterpart had achieved. First Women’s hockey Club in India was formed in 1928. It was called Wanderers Athletic Club, controlled by men, but only women competed. Some more clubs added when Calcutta hosted the First Women’s Hockey’s domestic Tournament, which won by the Wanderers. Rovers came second. Delhi hosted the first inter-Provincial Championship 10 years later. Bengal won, Delhi came second. The event was held three more years more but the World war II broke out, the Championship was discontinued. Then new IHF president Naval Tata again started a full Inter-Provincial Championship, it was held in Mumbai in 1947 and 1948, which were officially the start of Nationals for women.
A representative Indian team was selected to tour Amsterdam in 1947, but it did not take place. J Carr was the designated coach and he selected a team too.
Chronology of Indian women’s hockey events on the international stage till it made it to the first World Cup in 1974.
1953: Folkstone Festival in England. Won 4 out of 16 matches
1953: Festival Tournament, Australia. Won 8 out of 20 matches
1960: Sri Lanka Series in India. India won the series 4-1.
1962: Return tour to Sri Lanka. India won all the matches it played
1964: Japan test Series in India. India lost the series 1-3
1967: Sri Lanka Test Series. India won the series 5-0
1968: First Asian Championship. India fielded two teams, both lost in the Semis
1970: Japan Silver Jubilee Cup.
1970: hong Kong Test Series
1971: Uganda Test Series. India fielded two teams, North and South
1971: IFWHA Auckland Hockey Festival
1971: Singapore Test Series
1974: First World Cup
World Cup was by far the most serious tournament that India took part. The FIH World Cup was held even as the entire Asia did not have its continental Championship, competition avenues were hard to come by and each participants of the World Cup was unknown to each other. India thus was an unknown element, bordering dark horse. Indian team led by defender Ajinder Kaur, now settled in England, surprised many by topping its pool.
India started the event badly losing to Belgium by two goals to nil. Ohn and Biart struck for the winners. And then India went on to win next three matches. With a two goals from Rupa Saini and one from Kulwant Bhullar, India beat Mexico 3-0. In the next crucial match, Baljeet Bhatti’s two goals, and one each from Darshan Chauhan and Otillia Mascarenhas, India doused Spain for a 4-1 win. Next was much awaited one, against Netherlands. Baljeet Bhatti’s lone goal did not get any reply for India to finish on top of the pool.
In fact, India was placed first as it defeated Netherlands which also had six points with three wins.
However, the tables turned in the knock out phase. India lost to Argentina by 0-1, goal coming from tournaments’ second top scorer, V Alfonso. It was her last goal of the tournament.
Now the bronze was at its stake, but Germany had other ideas. Drescher and Klimpel struck goal apiece, and India could not score. Thus ended the fairy tale progress the Indian women made in Mandilu, France.
This record of reaching the semis stands even now, seems the Rani Rampal’s Indian team in London will level it if not exceed in the coming days.
Indian team: Ajinder Kaur (Captain), Teresa Georoge, Shiela Dhansatey, Kulwant Bhullar, Rupa Saini, Neena Asaikar, Ina Re Bellow, Chanchal Kohli, Darshan Chauhan, Parminder Sekhon, Geeta Sareen, Otillia Mascarenhas, Rekha Mundhpan, Lata Mahajan, Baljeet Bhati.