Hockey, in its traditional form, is slowly but steadily starting to lose popularity among spectators as well as the youth seeking to take it up as a professional career. The 5-a-side indoor format is being tried upon to revive both of those aspects.
Wednesday could well mark the start of a new chapter in the rich history of Indian hockey.
For the first time ever, a 5-a-side national championship organised by Hockey India (HI) will be played in Pune from October 26 to 30.
Hockey, in its traditional form, is slowly but steadily starting to lose popularity among spectators as well as the youth seeking to take it up as a professional career. The 5-a-side indoor format is being tried upon to revive both of those aspects.
"The idea is to get more people – spectators as well as youth – back to the game," HI president Narinder Batra said. "We need to get more spectators to the ground, promote the game better and make hockey more attractive in India. We are trying this concept as one of the ways to achieve that."
The 5-a-side is a fast-paced format of hockey, much like what futsal is to football. The national championship will follow all the International Hockey Federation (FIH) rules, though with some tweaks (see box).
The FIH toyed with this concept in 2012, and organised a trial tournament for the first time in Hong Kong in 2013. Since then, the international body has used this format only in the Youth Olympics.
Batra, who is running for FIH presidency during its elections next month, said this format is bound to grow both internationally and nationally to extend the portfolio and reach of the game.
"We have started with the nationals, but we will hold more tournaments in this format gradually over the next year or so. I'm sure you will start seeing this concept more in major FIH tournaments in the future as well," the HI president said, adding that the regular, 11-a-side, national tourneys will continue to take place.
Adrian D'Souza, who will play for Hockey Maharashtra in the tournament, said it is an exciting change for the sport in the country.
"I grew up playing hockey in small surfaces, like a basketball court. So this is something that can get a lot of kids into the sport. As for fans, the fact that it is played indoor is a big plus because people are closer to the action. That's what every other sport is doing now to pull in the crowd," the goalkeeper, who last played for India in 2011, said.
Asked if it's time this concept is used in international tournaments as well, the Mumbaikar said a lot will depend on how it is received over the next few days.
"The feedback from this nationals will be key, because India has always been a huge market for FIH in terms of viewership. If FIH knows that it's working in India, then I'm sure they will implement it at some point," the 32-year-old added.
What's different
Each team is allowed nine players including one goalkeeper. Five on the pitch at any given time
Smaller playing field (38.5m x 22.5m as opposed to 91.4m x 55m)
Smaller duration of game (30 minutes as opposed to 60 minutes)
Game is split into three periods of 10 minutes, with a three-minute break between each
Players can only push, scoop or flick the ball, not strike it hard
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