'Chuck De' hockey?

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 01: Bradley Shaw, Andrew Hayward, Phillip Burrows and goalkeeper Kyle Pontifex of New Zealand challenge Danish Mujtaba and Gurwinder Singh Chandi of India for the ball during the Men

It’s indeed a pity for a team which cannot win at it’s national sport!

Hockey is believed to be India’s most oldest and beloved game. And that’s why it is has been our ‘National game’.

After seeing India’s performance in the ongoing Olympic hockey tournament,  one can say that India do not take hockey seriously. The team does not pass the ball,  and if they do,  then they do not trap the ball properly. Opponents are not properly marked,  which often  provides space for the rival team.

Against the  Dutch,  India trailed two nil and despite leveling the score, they  were beaten by a  late Dutch goal.

India could have defeated the Dutch by at least  a  5-2 margin,  but thanks to some poor passing and selfish play, many chances were squandered. Similarly against New Zealand,  the Kiwis dominated India with some accurate passing and trapping.

Teams like New Zealand  successfully attack,  whereas India has a weakness of playing the ball late, which results in opposing defences overpowering the forwards.

‘Babus’ in the hockey body need to realise that hockey in the country has fallen to the depths of despair.

India can be a powerful contender for a podium finish in any sport, once the fiefdom in the country’s sporting setup ends once and for all.