K. ARUMUGAM

HISTORY: Indian women’s hockey came into prominence once they got two platforms in a short period. The first one was the inclusion of women’s hockey in the 1980 Moscow Olympics and soon later in the 1982 New Delhi Asian Games. Before that, women’s hockey only had the World Cup which was an event split between two international federations and a source of conflict that didn’t help its cause any.

However, it was ironic that support for women’s hockey started dwindling even as the sport was growing in prominence with presences in the Olympics and the Asian Games.

Indian women’s hockey came into limelight when beat Australia in the Tokyo Olympics quarterfinal.

Apart from Indian Railways, prospective women hockey players did not have any avenue for a career even though openings in police departments here or paramilitary organizations there led to the odd recruitment.

Then came a rude shock. Air India disbanded its women’s team midway through the 1990s. It didn’t seem to matter that the Indian women started making their presence felt at major events, even picking medals.

States like Karnataka and Punjab did not shine in the National Championships as they traditionally used to ever since the domestic premier competition was incepted sometime in the late 1940s. Teams from undivided Bihar and Odisha often lit up the event but there was a need for much more.

Indian women’s hockey got a big break when the team won the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games title beating powerhouse England in the final. However, despite the euphoria it created, nothing tangible happened on the ground.

Chak De India, a Bollywood blockbuster in 2007, won hearts but led to nothing concrete when it came to progress for women’s hockey in the country. The box office hit did not turn out to be  a mutational or milestone. Women’s hockey continued to survive thanks to the benevolence of the majestic Indian Railways.

Then Tokyo happened.

Australia who won all five matches in the pool were beaten by India in the quarterfinals. The entry into the semifinals and eventual fourth spot after missing the bronze medal by a whisker warmed the cockles in the country.

IOC ACTS AS A BOOSTER PUMP: However, unlike Manchester, the Tokyo victory led to a concrete development, thanks to the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) which supports a variety of sports. The IOCL did what other public or private sectors could not. It formed a women’s hockey team, adding to the men’s team that it started 20 years ago, at the dawn of the new millennium.

It meant that women’s hockey got a platform once more after Air India forsook them, that it could help it grow. The IOC recruited 15 players — all Junior India stars from reigning Junior India captain Thodum to a clutch of rising stars. It was a thoughtful and visionary decision. The inception of an IOC team for women involved young players who can only grow and serve the cause for a long period.

GROWTH: The IOC added another feather to its cap when it was requested by Hockey India to organize Inter-Departmental National Championships. After doing so last year for the men, it follows that now for the women the third Hockey India Inter-Departmental National Championship is underway at Delhi’s Shivaji Stadium.

It was opened last week by Shree Hardeep Singh Puri who holds top portfolios in the Union Government including Petroleum. On November 15, the former diplomat recalled how India felt bad when it lost an Olympic final to a neighbouring country.

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri greeting an young hockey kid and gifting her a hockey stick.

“I was in Germany as a kid. The defeat was much talked about and worried us a lot,” he reminisced. While dwelling on the overall sports scenario, he expressed optimism as “the Indian sports scenario is on the rise”. 

“People may talk about the ongoing Cricket World Cup and the sport may be ruling the roost in the minds of the masses. However, it’s hockey which is our great sport with which we all identify.”

He was visibly happy to see so many girls line up for the competition. “Nari Sakthi is our future and the present Government has initiated many schemes to realize potential. Sorts is one such and is our priority,” he said.

The Chief Guest expressed joy that hockey stalwarts of yesteryear were present on the occasion.

“Ajit Pal Singh, our World Cup winning captain, and Moscow Olympic gold medallist Zafar Iqbal are here. They are jewels in India’s crown,” he said amidst applause.

IOC Chairman Shrikant Madhav Vaidya at the Inter-Deptt Sr National Championship, New Delhi

Pankaj Jain, who heads the Petroleum Sports Promotion Board, a conglomeration of the Oil sector PSUs, by being secretary of the controlling ministry was also present. Speaking on the occasion, Jain said, “When women’s hockey was held in the same stadium 41 years ago, I was with a medical team, tending to injured players. Am happy to see today so many youngsters choose to compete in the prestigious competition.”

The IOC Chairman Shrikant Madhav Vaidya outlined the fact that women’s hockey needed upliftment. “We are happy to support sports, in particular women’s. Hockey naturally is our nation’s pride, so also IOC’s,” the topnotch administrator outlined.

The IOC has thoughtfully invited schoolchildren to witness matches on the opening day. A local Trust One Thousand Hockey Legs was involved. OTHL’s founder was honoured on the occasion. Quality hockey sticks were gifted to two dozen children. Interestingly, one of the kids, Anshika, a 13-year-old student of Govt Sarvodya Bal Vidyalaya, Begumpur, was on the dais to receive the minister who gave the budding star a fatherly touch and presented her a composite stick.

Hockey India bigwigs Bhola Nath and Sekhar Manoharan, secretary and treasurer respectively, were also present. Dronacharya awardee Ajay Kumar Bansal, who formed the IOC team two decades ago and is widely regarded as a wise counsel for hockey promotion in the city, was there too. The IOC’s hockey stars Deepak Thakur, Devesh Chauhan, Bharat Chhikara, Hamza Mujtaba, and a host of stars on its rolls from cricket and other sports also graced the grand occasion.

THE NATIONALS: The 3rd Hockey India Inter-Department National Championship started on Wednesday and has drawn top teams into the fray. Besides Indian Oil Corporation, Indian Railways, Sports Authority of India, SSB, Tamil Nadu Police, Union Bank, and All India Police Control Board are taking part.

3rd Hockey India Inter-Department National Championship 2023, teams line up on the opening day

On Monday today, the semifinals were played. The reigning champions Railways easily overcame SSB 5-0 whereas the host team IOC, despite being young, beat fighting Sports Authority of India team 3-0. The Railways and the IOC will lock horns for the title tomorrow. Star striker Vandana Katariya and rising star Deepika were declared Best Player, respectively.

The final will be played today at the same Shivaji Stadium 11.00 AM after bronze match (09.00AM).