IT HAS been 51 years since India won its first and only hockey World Cup gold medal. The final against Pakistan at Kuala Lumpur Stadium in Malaysia in 1975 saw, for one last time, India’s dominance on the hockey field as the Ajit Pal Singh-led side lifted the trophy with a 2-1 verdict. It was because of the all-important goal scored by Ashok Kumar, son of legendary Dhyanchand, in the second half, which sealed the deal in India’s favour. Those golden memories were still fresh in Askhok Kumar’s mind as he narrated a few anecdotes, especially of the semi-final against Malaysia and final against arch-rivals Pakistan, on Friday afternoon here in Nagpur. The former centre forward got nostalgic while bringing those memorable days back. In the city for Bankers’ Sports Council’s annual awards function as chief guest, Arjuna Awardee Ashok Kumar remembered those days and believed that Harmanpreet Singh-captained side will deliver their best performance this World Cup which will be co-hosted in Amstelveen, Netherlands and Wavre, Belgium from August 15 to 30. “This Indian team has all the wherewithal to go the distance.

 

They can break the 51-year jinx. Harmanpreet Singh is a cool and calm captain and is the best drag-flicker in the world at present. The team has won back to back Olympic bronze medals and will give their all in Holland,” said 76-year-old former centre forward. “We have two big tournaments coming in the next couple of months and that would be crucial. We are playing the World Cup in August and then the Asian Games in Japan in September. These are big events,” said the striker who won World Cup bronze in the inaugural 1971 World Cup and silver in the next edition (1973). The Jhansi-born player felt that the Commonwealth Games Committee should have included hockey in its roster. “The competition level would have been high with teams like Australia, New Zealand, England being the opponents. It would have been great for teams as well as for spectators,” he mentioned.

 

During his days, the Indian teams were coached and managed by an Indian only and Ashok Kumar believed that today’s team does not need a foreign coach. “When the game was changing with new rules and was shifted from ‘chat’ and grass grounds to astro-turfs, a foreign coach was needed. But now, we have adapted the game well. I think there are many former players like Sardara Singh, V Raghunath to name a few, whose services can be utilised by Hockey India,” Ashok Kumar explained. The two-time Olympic bronze medallist felt that Hockey India needs to concentrate on developing hockey at grassroot which is the feeder line.

 

“Hockey India is lacking in developing the game at grassroot level. That is the feeder line and if we want to be on the top of the hockey map, we must have a strong feeder line. I think, Hockey India should invest heavily in promoting hockey at age group level,” said Ashok Kumar who won Asian Games silver medals at Bangkok (1970 and 1978) and Tehran (1974). Ashok Kumar hoped that Hockey India starts recognising former stars by providing financial assistance. “I have had discussions with officials of Hockey India. I have suggested that former stars should get pension from Hockey India, just like in cricket. There should be criteria and grades but former players who brought laurels to the country by winning Olympic medals and World Cup titles, should be taken care off. Today, there are many hockey stalwarts who are living their lives in penury. It feels bad to see them in such a state. Hope Hockey India makes a positive move in this direction,” concluded the Munich Olympics bronze medal winner.