Is India-Malaysia match fixed: This is what we were bombarded with last couple of days. For many, the newsflash by the channels is a shocker. Even for those who follow game, it is a shocker — in a different sense, for a different reason.

First, why should a hockey match be fixed?

India and its vast media network in particular are always obsessed with match fixing. That a South African cricket captain was caught on match fixing by the Indian police, even the first book on match fixing is written in India are the settings why our media laps it up anything match fixing.

But in hockey, as everyone of us know, there is no money involved so that a necessity to fix a match does arise. Hockey is neither that popular nor we have come across any bookies’ link to it.

Take the case of latest Azlan Shah Cup, which the present match fixing episode draws it origin. The multi-national event was held on a ground located in a Sports Complex belonging to the city’s corporation. Next to Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Stadium is one for football. Its capacity and infrastructure is many time bigger than hockey. Only local football matches, inter-provincial league are held there. But the crowd it pulls must be at least ten times more than hockey’s, despite being the local engagements. All eateries are lined up on the periphery of the football stadium only. Hockey in contrast wears an empty look even on international outings.

The dwindling performance of India, Pakistan – who form nearly 50 percent of attendance at any time during matches – and also Malaysia’s similar pathetic shows, hardly helped hockey. This year had lean attendance, the much-talked about India-Pakistan match was witnessed hardly by 500 people.

The scenario is portrayed to bring home the point that there is no national interest (?) or public interest is going to be served so that the result of a particular match needs to be tanked.

Whether Malaysia won or lost, it was a foregone that they would end up last.

Then why on earth will they go for fixing the match? There is no logic.

Ok. See the other way. Their players got into betting, gambling as to the result of the match – which is actually the case with the Malaysia police now – it is certainly a case for the Malaysia to ponder over. Which they are rightfully tackling it.

Dragging India, overtly or covertly, is not correct. It has no logic. Bansal and Md. Aslam company therefore need not worry.

Yes, on macro level matches are taken easily by certain teams at certain point of time during major tournaments. It is done often to get a favorable team in the ranking matches, enable a favourable team to reach the semis or gain something indirectly and likewise.

In the last World Cup in Germany, for instance, Korea and Germany played out an expected draw so that, firstly both will reach the semis and secondly to keep Netherlands out of semis. The drama was enacted in full view of global media – and it was a challenge to sporting ethics.

In hockey this is match fixing. It is entirely different in content and ramification from the cricketing domain where stakes are high in ball to ball performance of every match. For, bookies are there everywhere.

Hockey, due to its low profile — it is much lower in the countries which are winning – no monetary stakes exist.

Everyone of us should understand the dynamics of hockey before blowing up ‘India-Malaysia Match fixing’.

It is injustice to Indian players who played so superbly, despite most of the seniors were a tired lot due to ill-timed Australia tour.