The Hockey World Cup is here! New Delhi seems to have come up with a state of the art hockey field, replete with dug outs, swanky lcd displays, comfortable seating and a slick playing turf. A recent Bollywood movie that glorified the sport and the said stadium is still fresh in memory, although it is said that one needs a movie to popularise any sport. Having said that, any new lease of life to field hockey in India is welcome, keeping in mind the abyss into which our sport has plunged over the last couple of decades. Failing to qualify for the Olympics in 2008 was the final nail in the coffin. Indian hockey has suffered from poor administration and press coverage and it must take a cue from its cricketing counterparts. I still don't understand why or how the cricketing fever caught the minds and hearts of the blue billion. But I shall leave that for another post.
As I write, Spain has been pressurized and made to overwork by minnows South Africa. The Olympic silver medalists finally huffed and puffed their way to a 4 -2 win. The much-touted Aussies were shocked by arch rivals England in what is arguable the second best rivalry in any sport across the planet. Completing the dream opening day of this year's World Cup, India and Pakistan are scooping it out with the former enjoying a 3 - 0 lead with 16 minutes to go for the hooter. Pakistan have, undoubtedly, had the final laugh in field hockey, including a recent 6 -3 drubbing in Salta, Argentina. With some legendary players like Rehan Butt, Dilawar Hussain and the trump card Sohail Abbas, they definitely look the better team on paper. India, on the other hand, seems to be a motley group of proven performers and bright youngsters, though the lack of dazzling talents like a Dhanraj Pillay or a Jugraj Singh is too evident to miss. It also has a remarkable tendency to choke in the dying minutes of any game and give away the lead. The next fifteen minutes would tell.
Thousands of miles away, another keen tussle is on cards this evening. The USA plays Canada to decide who takes the gold and comes up on top in a cross border tussle for supremacy in the final of the Winter Olympics Ice Hockey.
And the two hours break means that I can also write about India's 'Holi' 4-1 win. Hmm... the people are quiet, at least for now.
No comments:
Post a Comment