My memory of World Cup Hockey goes back to late 1981 when Bombay hosted the event. It was probably the last time a world cup hockey was held on a natural grass surface. In the epic final Pakistan team led by their legendary striker, a Kamal Hassan look alike with a strikingly similar name, the handsome striker Hassan Sardar on whom girls swooned over took the lead for Pakistan with couple of brilliant field goals.
But the Germans (West Germany then) known to be gritty fighters whether in soccer or hockey, made a spectacular comeback with quick penalty corner goals by their powerful, hard hitting penalty corner specialist and captain Michael Peter. Pakistan finally won the final 5 goals to 3. There was no TV then in Bhubaneswar. I followed the tournament on Radio and from photos on glossy Sportstar magazine.
Since then the world of hockey has come a long way, so also the World Cup. Soon astro turf took over the hockey ground. German still maintains their edge as their Eurpoean style hockey suits the synthetic turf. Pakistan and India much before have lost their edge. Though India's slide was steadfast, Pakistan still maintained its class with players like Sahbaz Ahmed, Wasim Feroze, Tahir Zaman, Sohail Abbaz and won the World Cup in 1994, a bronze as late as in 2004 Olympics. But soon it slid into abyss and still struggling to catch up. Pakistan's arch rival India who has improved some sort of late has been consistently defeating it - earlier it was the other way round.
Hockey is not a mass sports unlike soccer and cricket. Even in nations like Australia, Germany, Holland, Belgium and Argentina - the current top 5 nations, hockey comes far behind Soccer in all except in Australia where comes next to Cricket and Aussies Rules Football. Empty stadiums in Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Sydney during World Cups and Champions Trophies tell the story. Even a major hockey game in Delhi or Mumbai, Lahore or Karachi hardly attracts any crowd, conspicuous by empty stands - unless it is an Indo-Pak encounter.
This is where FIH, the International Hockey Federation came with this masterstroke of awarding the World Cups and Champions Trophies to 2nd tier cities like Bhubaneswar, who craving for some attention and in eagerness to showcase their potential can go an extra yard to ensure the success of the event as host.
That's exactly what Bhubaneswar is doing now. It's citi- zens are now overwhelmed with a lot enthusiasm as an world cup of any kind being held on their soil. Tickets have been sold out as there has been reports of glitches in the selling website due to high demand. There is a Political angle to it as well. The government led by the ruling party has left no stones unturned to ensure its success, a nice showcase of its organizing ability a few months before the national and Assembly elections.
Large hoardings and Billboard across the city at all major intersections advertise the upcoming Hockey tournament, side by side lies the ostentatious face of the Chief Minister of the state smiling at the passersbys. Not sure if the man has held a hockey stick in his life, but a smart political image makeover which certainly doesn't hurt when election is around the corner.
It's win win for all - the International Hockey Federation, the government, the party and of course the locals who are taking immense pride in an international event coming to their own city and state.
Team India though an improved lot, still falters and loses steam in the major tournaments, often at the right moment losing when a draw is needed or drawing when a win is necessary to advance into the knockout rounds. This has became a recurring habit and hope we take this opportunity of home advantage to come out of this infinite loop of losing streak.
Last time India won the Hockey World was in 1975 under the Captainship when many reading this blog may not have been born. Hopefully we break the logjam and win the cup in my home city after long hiatus of 43 years. Good luck Team India and Bhubaneswariyas making the cup a successful event.
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