Skill our strength: Hockey Olympian

Minna Zutshi

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 22

Stamina, speed and skill – the European sports persons beat Indian players in the first two. But the Indian Hockey players have an edge over their European counterparts when it comes to skill. And they (the Indian players) can work on honing their skill unceasingly that would do them good in international competitions. City-based Hockey Olympian Hardeep Singh Grewal shares his observations with a clarity that time lends. He was a member of the Indian Hockey Team in 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. He recalls that India and Australia were the favourite teams in 1984 Olympics, though neither could make it to the finals.

Looking back over the years, he sees very clearly the changes in the field of sports. The game of hockey has become faster. The style has changed, he observes.

Flitting between the past and the present, Grewal talks about the lack of sports infrastructure in our country. “We, as parents, are busy in the percentage game. We prod and push our children to achieve 99 per cent or even 99.9 per cent. Our entire focus is on academics and that too on the percentage scored by the child. We have neither time nor inclination for sports. The parents are only worried about their child’s grades. They hardly ever encourage their child to participate in sports,” he says.

The European countries and even countries such as China have a sports policy that focuses on the long-term planning.

“In these countries, children are encouraged to participate in sports and co-curricular activities. At the time of admission to educational institutions, those with achievements in sports and other related activities are adequately rewarded,” he says.

Lack of facilities, paucity of funds and poor or rather non-existent infrastructure make us lag behind in sports, says the former hockey player. Is anyone listening? Or are we only interested in commemorating days, without any concern for the core issue?