Sikh diaspora still sees India through the prism of hockey. They did not give up hockey in their settled countries either. We have seen enough of them in the UK, Canada, Malaysia and Kenya teams.

Sikhs’ contribution to hockey – in terms of players and patronage – is so significant that one can momentarily overlook why after all faith should be an yardstick for praising a particular section of society so metamorphosed as ours.

A 10-member jury panel sits in Delhi today (Tuesday) to find out Best Ten Sikh Hockey Players. The process obviously entails piecing together a century-old history, though in piecemeal. Better laud the effort: At least some historical research in hockey before hockey becomes history!

Even Sikh’s hockey story is fast becoming a history. Sad but true. We had seen surfeit of Sardars at the Olympics in the past (10 in 1964, 13 in 1968), but only a few subsequently – 3 in 1980, just 2 in 1984 and 4 in 1988, probably because of Punjab terrorism. The man who quelled that bad phase, super cop KPS Gill, came to rule hockey later, and in his regime Sikhs quota seemed to be fixed – five in all three Olympics (1996-2004). Whether it is intended or incidental is a matter of conjecture.

Abundance of Sardars in the 60s and 70s does not necessarily mean it’s the extension the pre-independent days. Not at all. Just a token Sardar was present in each of colonial India’s three Olympic teams. Sikhs constitute mere one fourth of hockey Olympians India produced (60 out of 235) till date. A mystery: No goalkeeper Olympian from Sardar stable.

What are the barometers the juries, headed by four-time Olympian Leslie Claudius, would employ to pick 10 best Sardars of Hockey? Selection criteria not known. What we have is a short-list of 30 names, well, every second Olympian, from legendary Balbir Singh Sr., fearsome Prithipal Singh, ever-green Udham Singh, gentle gazelle Harbinder Singh down to Gagan Ajit Singh.

Olympic exploits (though it is harsh on post 1980 players) and post-playing career (read coaching contribution) should be the prime criteria.

Olympic achievements will ensure level playing field for those legends who toiled for hours barefoot, without much of creature comforts against present lot who got to play more tournaments with better support system in place. Statistics — number of goals, career longevity, caps record – does matter but not beyond a point. A player’s historic role in momentous victories should count, however brief it may be.

Two of Independent India’s five Olympic gold are significant from historical perspectives – London 1948 and Tokyo 1964.

Perceived talent drain due to partition and the return of masters British to hockey field after 40 years of self-imposed boycott posed the biggest challenge for the Indian hockey in 1948. Will India wilt or wallop, was the question. But, the masters were taught a majestic 4-1 lesson in the final, Balbir Singh Sr. alone posting first three goals. Had India succumbed that day, perhaps our hockey would have perished long since. Balbir, never a powers that be’s favourite, made a name for himself with unique scoring prowess.

12 years later, Asian Games and Olympics gold were in Pakistan’s pocket. Was India a spent force? Skeptics started crediting India’s past six Olympic victories to Anglo-Indians and neighbourhood stars. 1964 Olympics proved them wrong. Tokyo was a unique success built solely on post-independent native strength.

“Give Joginder Singh and Shankar Laxman, we will defeat you”, said Major General Musa, Pakistan’s chef de mission at Tokyo. Ashwini Kumar, then Indian Hockey Federation chief, retorted: “Then you have to wage another war”. Ashwini was obviously referring to 1961 Indo-Pak war.

Now the question is, who Joginder Singh? A name not in any awards list. Only the old times recount him. That’s pity. Winger ‘Giddi’ Joginder, dazzled at Tokyo, but in the world of cold statistics his feat got perished. The same is true of Balbir Singh (Railways); his lightening strikes in the 1966 Asiad and the 1968 Olympics ensured us medals, but not even Arjuna for him. Pakistan hardly defeated India as long as M.P. Singh was taking penalty corners. That’s why the jury panel should seek for significance behind the achievements, see beyond statistics.

How many star Olympians did give back to the game? Not many. Big names take a beating here, though every one of them got their turn. Balkrishan Singh (despite Barcelona disaster), Rajinder Singh Sr. and Services Balbir Singh (for women) stand out.

My Choice: Balbir Singh Sr., Udham Singh, Harbinder Singh, Joginder Singh, Prithipal Singh, Balbir Singh (Railways), Ajit Pal Singh, Harcharan Singh, Surjit Singh, Rajinder Singh Sr., Pargat Singh and