New Delhi: Nobody came on streets, no sweets were distributed, the Tricolour wasn't carried on shoulders and no vocal cords yelled 'Come On' to have a hoarse voice later. But still it was a 'day in the sun' for Indian hockey, when the National Sport breathed and smiled again.
The icing on the cake was that the 4-2 triumph in the Asian Champions Trophy hockey final came against arch-rivals Pakistan. But overall, it was a restorative win for a game that is, honestly speaking, in a derelict state with more lows than highs on and off the pitch.
Wrapped on the knuckles after being axed as the Champions Trophy hosts, chins in Indian hockey were down and it needed a win like this to look up and smile. New coach, an arduous task and nerves jangling like anything against archenemies in a penalty shootout. The boys couldn't have shown more steel to once again resuscitate a sport that is loved, but sadly not cared for.
Goalkeeper S Sreejeesh brought out his best skills to save two penalties as the dug-out exploded and the team sprinted towards their hero. Pity though, the scenes couldn't be lived through on live television.
While the team rejoiced, the game's lovers in India were scampering for updates on social networks with live action missing from TV screens. Let alone live, none of the channels showed a deferred telecast of the matches. And more than the viewers, it robbed the game itself of a chance to make its way back into Indian fans' hearts.
That, in fact, testifies for the game's 'almost forgotten' state. Jostle between two groups to get control of the game has shifted focus from the pitch to 'merger' talks behind closed doors. And when even that didn't come to fruition, FIH stepped in to snatch the hosting rights of Champions Trophy from India.
But today, it's not the time to remember but to forget those off-field infringements. Thankfully, the stick-check, if any, happened at the blow of a whistle. And even more thankfully, the boys didn't give an inch by first ending second in the group table and then nailing the trophy in the final under their new coach Michael Nobbs.
However, the win will have a lasting impact only if those running the game in India get their administrative house in order. They need to recognise that it's success on the field that reaps benefits, and for that to happen consistently, the players need a board that thinks about the game and those who play it, not those who just think how they can be the boss and for how long.
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