Time Indian hockey made people smile

Though the Commonwealth Games are not important when it comes to Olympic qualification, the Games have a rich history and are of high significance for every country participating in it.

There is a much-used phrase in sports, ‘winning or losing does not matter, participating is more important’. The CWG are the finest example of the Games played in that spirit. You cannot compare the CWG to something like the Olympics and Asian Games. These Games are a perfect platform for the athletes to test themselves and prove their mettle.

And the competition is getting really tough, especially in hockey. A few of the world’s best teams, including world champions Australia, are here to compete in the Games and it should be really interesting.

It won’t be easy for India. As we all saw during the World Cup earlier this year, India lack the killer instinct and the consistency in their performances, and that issue has to be addressed. Like we thrashed Pakistan in the opening match of the World Cup but failed to show that kind of spark in the remaining matches of the tournament.

Unless we buck up and play to our potential, we will continue to struggle against big teams. Speaking about the struggles and big teams, the Indian team will have to play out of their skins to win the gold medal. Australia and England will be very tough to beat. I have been reading about the team’s preparations in the run up to the Games and the coach has also said the team looks better than before. Haven’t we heard same things before? I think it is high time the coaches work on our weaknesses. I hope Harendra (Singh) and (Jose) Brasa do that and we see a transformed team than in the World Cup. Also, it is important for them to play well in Delhi because the Asian Games will be played soon after and the team needs to do well there. So a good outing here will be a huge boost for our boys.

Speaking about the women’s team, they have undergone a lot of off-the-field drama recently. But the team seems to have coped well with it and look ready for the Games. They have a good record in the CWG and I am sure they will be able to maintain it. Sandeep (Somesh) has done a reasonably good job with the team at the recently concluded women’s World Cup, where India finished ninth, keeping in mind the conditions in which he took charge of the team.

In the end, playing in front of the home crowd should be an added incentive for them. Most tickets for the CWG have been sold for hockey so that shows interest is still alive among the masses. The public has waited for a long time and been patient enough, it’s time the team makes them smile.

—As told to Mihir Vasavda