Within 48 hours Indian women will be embarking on a tournament that might as well decide which way the sport is destined. As India sets the ball in motion at Kazan Olympic Qualifier, the last of the three Qualifiers that has been introduced for Beijing Olympics, on Saturday evening, the quest for the last remaining slot for the Beijing takes a concrete shape.

Whether India will get the coveted slot is the question that refuses to subside in our minds. A whole new world might be awaiting India if it qualifies, but that is true for every other aspirant here in Kazan. This makes the Kazan event interesting.

Even in the best of times the women hockey is unpredictable, not withstanding the fact that the Netherlands team in the current decade left an indelible mark of excellence. Even it had to bite the dust at the last Olympics and 2002 World Cup.

Indian hockey’s latest problem of not having adequate match practice, not the ones they play both practice sessions in any camp, but against worthy rivals in tournaments or official test matches, seemed to have stuck the women also.

Why despite being a power to reckon with in Asia, we are at loss to find worthy partners for practice is a question those who manage the sport should ask for themselves. When the last time Korea or China played in a series? Ages ago.

India made two foreign trips without having a chance to play in any official matches. Australia trip, it was told, was for conditioning. And then came the Middle East Asian sojourn for a week. It was learnt that the Dutch team was practicing there and wanted to have some competition. Practicing in hot conditions is a requirement for Beijing bound teams as it simulates the August situation. As Korea, Japan and China turned down the offer, India obliged. Of course Azerbaijan was also invited. India played two friendly games each against these two teams.

The Qatar visit was the only true practice for our girls this year, who aim to qualify for the Olympics much against the likes of USA. Government of India continues to keep women’s hockey on priority list, and hardly ever refused to grant any tours. Why then the Indian Women Hockey Federation fails to rope in good tournaments, that too in the last four months speaks poor of them.

Of course, Indian girls are used to such things. They could still bring good results quite often due to focus and usually hassle free team selection. But these small mercies suffice for success? Let us wait and watch.

This writer is in Moscow; will be at Kazan tomorrow to bring action alive for s2h.