FIH’s decision to shift CT to New Zealand surprising

ATP Sarathy

Maybe, the FIH is desirous of attracting more people to the game.

New Zealand is better known for its crick et and rugger than for its hockey. In the circumstances the decision of the international hockey federation (FIH) is a little surprising. The FIH had originally desired India to host the Champions Trophy tournament. Understandably, the FIH gave it a second thought and changed that decision. But to make New Zealand the host is to go out of the way from the normal run.

Maybe, the FIH is desirous of attracting more people to the game.

The tournament offers, perhaps, the best available talent though there are no more wizards like Dhyan Chand, who, 12 years after his third Olympic appearance in 1936 in Berlin, topscored during a brief tour of Kenya with `Babu’ (Kumar Digvijay Singh) in the team. India had a brief tour of Australia before the World War II. And M.J. Gopalan of Madras was a member of the team.

He played in the key position, the centre-half. What made him change over to cricket is difficult to understand. He was in the team to England as a pace bowler. The team was led by Pataudi (Sr), if memory serves right.

Gopalan was thus a double international like Denis Compton of England. Known more for his cricket, he had worn the England colours in football too. Edrich and Compton proved to be formidable middle-order pair for England’s batting.