Olympics Hockey without India

Hockey is celebrating its Hundred years in Olympics. Ironically, India, the country that has won most number of gold medals, does not feature in this edition of Olympics. India's steady decline in world rankings has started in 1976. KPS Gill's regime at IHF performed the last rites of Indian Hockey before he being overthrown by another GILL, MS the sports minister.

Common Indian sports enthusiast quickly got over India's absence as suddenly India has found new sporting Heroes in Bindra and Boxing trio of Akhil, Vijender and Jitender. So much so, that despite Hockey being our national game, hardly anybody seems to be following what is happening in Hockey matches at Beijing. There is virtually no coverage of Hockey on TV or Newspaper media. So, here's presenting a brief review of Hockey at Beijing.

Asian Hockey is represented by Korea, Pakistan and hosts China. Sadly Pakistan Hockey is also facing similar downslide. Having lost to Britain and top ranked Australia, it will be extremely difficult for Pakistan team to enter Semifinals from B group which also has strong Netherlands.

Korea on the other hand is still keeping Asian flag afloat by drawing against Germany. This group A is witnessing keen tussle for second semifinal births between Korea, Germany and New Zealand, with Spain on top. A few keen tussles between Korea Vs Spain and New Zealand Vs Germany on Tuesday will be decisive. On form Australia are overwhelming favourites to beat Netherlands for Gold Medal. The final is scheduled on 23rd Aug. (points table as on Sun Aug 17)

Many Hockey followers like me wonder if Indian hockey will see the glorious days of past again. The bickerings amongst the Hockey administrators are at all time high. There was some hope of revival when Ric charlseworth came to India to offer helping hand. But how he was literally humiliated and kept away from the team in Qualifiers tournment is well known. A frustrated Charlesworth has given up and is slated to join Australian Hockey team as its coach.

So this is the second Australian Indian sport has ill-treated. The unfortunate sacking of Greg Chappell by BCCI is still fresh in the memory. It is often argued that a foreign coach is not suitable for Indian teams consisting of players from different states and different cultural background. But look at what Indian Football team coach Houghton has achieved. India's victory at recently concluded AFC Cup could well be the turning point for Indian football. While there seem to be no hope for Indian Hockey's revival, Indian Football is all set to reach newer heights.