I can’t recall when I first started watching hockey. It must in 80s when my dad was watching a live telecast in a black and white television set. Most members from my dad’s family were hockey players, so it became a practice to watch the Indian hockey team.
Before Tokyo Olympics, men’s hockey team won the bronze medal in 1972 Olympics (am excluding the 1980 one because of large scale boycott), the last time when it was played in grass. Tamil Nadu, with a population of more than 60 million, got its first Astroturf hockey pitch only in 1993 when Chennai hosted the SAF Games. Even now, I don’t think the state will have more than 5 artificial turfs.
Even as the game changed dramatically from mid-70s, Indian players were struggling to get access to play in Astroturf pitches. And from 80s, the gradual decline of the team’s performance began. We came close to qualifying for the semi finals at 2000 Olympics. If I remember, we didn’t because, Poland (yes, they do have a hockey team!) drew against India with an equalizer two minutes from the end in the last league match.
The big shock was when the team didn’t qualify for the 2008 Olympics (it has never happenned before that) and in 2012 Olympics, the team finished last. But, through it all, in cities where matches are played, there will be a dedicated bunch of hockey fans who will come to see the matches. I did that until I started my venture five years back.
I remember India playing two test matches against Belgium, the current Olympic champion, in early 2000s or last 90s. Belgium was no match to the Indian team, but still 4000-5000 spectators would have thronged the Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai.
I have seen it in all places where the matches were played (Bangalore, Delhi, any locations in Punjab or Orissa), even when the team hit the new lows in 2008 or 2012. Most often we would see the team conceding goals in the last 5 or 10 minutes. Sometimes, the team will win a tournament or Asian Games gold medal that will rise the hopes.
I remember watching all India games in 1993 SAF games, but couldn’t get entry when India played against Pakistan. Ticket price was low or free entry. I don’t remember my dad being disappointed for not able to watch the game live. I guess the dedicated fans would be happy that more people are coming to see the game.
These dedicated fans were there because they loved the game, and wanted to support the team irrespective of success or failure. For a very long time, I couldn’t understand this kind of support. Then I started reading about the hockey players, their background and struggles to make it this far. Dhanraj Pillay, considered one of the best in the world, said they would get a daily allowance of $10 or $20. Yes, there are no match fees (till the time I followed). Only thing these players get is a permanent job in a state-run entities or in Railways or police. Its a miracle the team performed, given how they travelled or lodged while playing tournaments.
At the same time, the hockey association was hugely mismanaged. KPS Gill and Jothikumaran ran the Indian Hockey Federation for a long time. Jothikumaran quit after news reports claimed he demanded bribe to include a player in the team. Coaches and players would be fired randomly. After the team won the Asian games, four or five key players were rested because they demanded match fees.
At one time, there were two associations claiming to run hockey in India - Indian Hockey Federation and Hockey India, which prevailed.
Given all this, I go to watch hockey to celebrate the fact that a team comprising mostly of players from poor background, not taken proper care by the federation, is playing against well-built foreign teams, who had access to all facilities. Just watch when Indian women players greet each other at the start of the matches.
A crucial defeat will rankle this dedicated supporters (many of whom travel as a group to watch a tournament in another state or a city) for a few days, but they would turn up enthusiastically to support the team in the next match or the tournament.
Like in life unconditional love or support to someone who is going through a tough time is key to lift someone out of what they are going through, these dedicated band of supporters kept the team going. I am sure they would have all shed tears of joy as their team finally won a medal in Olympics.
I was always an eternal optimist while watching the matches. Even if the team was three goals down with last 10 minutes, I would believe we could win! But, somehow, when the team was close to winning the medal, I couldn’t gather the strength to watch the match. I really wanted them to taste success, for I know the journey they have travelled, not just the playing 16, but the army of unsung heroes (past players) who kept the team going.
Hockey, to me, is a sport that gave access to people from disadvantaged background, a hope where they could raise above their hopeless circumstances. When they succeed (representing India and being in a government job), they are the ones who nurtured the next set of players by even providing a place to stay and food at their own expense.
I really hope this moment is a tipping point that will bring back supporters in large numbers. At least, this will ensure live coverage of hockey matches when Indian teams travel abroad. And, I hope I get time to support the team.
PS: I don’t consider myself among the band of dedicated supporters