Today, I had to delay my dinner. My stomach was simply not ready to digest anything but the hockey gold. The Indian eves did not merely play hockey today;
they served up mesmerising hockey for everyone passionate about the game. In their hard-fought victory over China, these young girls entered the coveted group of sporting celebrities. Who said football is “The Beautiful Game”? Today, our young lasses challenged that claim with an impeccable display of hockey and gave Chak De! India its rightful place. The winning goal, scored by Lalremsiami with a stunning reverse hit, was rightly declared the goal of the tournament. It had everything - melody, power, speed, direction, precision and purpose. It was the kind of goal that etches itself into the memory of everyone fortunate enough to witness it. For a few moments, the hockey world seemed to go into a trance. It was a privilege to watch a match that not only brought India the coveted Asian Games gold medal but also secured the ticket to the Los Angeles Olympics. Having been associated with India's men’s and women’s hockey teams for four decades—as team doctor, team manager and Chief Medical Officer of Hockey India, as Secretary of the Asian Hockey Federation Medical Commission, and as an FIH Medical Officer covering more than 300 international matches—I can say with conviction that today’s India-China encounter was one of the finest matches I have witnessed in world hockey. It had everything that makes sport compelling: hockey skills, tactical intelligence, endurance, temperament, agony and ecstasy. It also displayed sportsmanship, respect for the opponent and the umpire, and fair play. India emerging as Asian Games champions and securing qualification for the Los Angeles Olympics was the icing on the cake. This victory should also strengthen the hand of the government to take a hard look at the administration of Indian hockey and at those office-bearers whose stewardship has, in my view, left the game in a mess. Our brave girls have shown what they are capable of when it comes to playing—and winning—hockey at the highest level. After a wait of 44 years, they have brought the Asian Games gold back to Indian women’s hockey. For now, however, let us simply rejoice in this magnificent victory. And let us wish our brave “Kudiyas” the very best of luck for Los Angeles. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of Sports Now or Times Network.
