Misc. news about Indian hockey

[srini]

Yes. What matters is how we get into groove and prep for the Tokyo in coming days. When Argentina became Olympics Champ in 2016, to my knowledge they were not in the reckoning at the time and they surprised with Gold.

[jaydeep]

Narinder Batra re-elected the presidency of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) by the closest of margins ... Batra defeated Belgium’s Marc Coudron 63-61 of the 124 votes polled during the 47th FIH Congress, held virtually due to COVID-19, to be re-elected till 2024.

[jayakris]

"The worm" squeezes through the hole.

[jaydeep]

"The worm" squeezes through the hole.

But after he has started his president chair at FIH, nothing more bad happened to the India hockey ... So we can consider this as a boon for the Indian hockey.

[jayakris]

^^ True. The worm actually turned out to be not so bad. I hated the man once for how some of our coaches were shunted out (the Charlesworth fiasco etc), but in the end, Narinder Batra has not been bad for Indian hockey.

[ssp]

The 'worm' is requesting withdrawal of the hockey teams from the CWG.
https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/sport ... tra-305974

Asian games are the priority as they decide qualification for Paris 2024.

I think, India should just pull out of all events at the CWG. They are a waste of time.

[sameerph]

In terms of competition, CWG hockey is at a higher level than Asiad now with Australia, New Zealand and Canada. If we are concerned about team peaking early, just send the second team there or 4-5 youngsters from main team along with those from second team. They will get good exposure. Why withdraw?

[rajitghosh]

CWG hockey has Australia, New Zealand, England, South Africa, Canada, Pakistan, Malaysia. Ireland is strong among women. So it is much stronger. But is doesn't guarantee any berths. Send Akashdeep and all those non performers there with Sunil as captain. A few youngsters can be tried out.

[Sin Hombre]

I think, India should just pull out of all events at the CWG. They are a waste of time.

Agree with this.

Why should we continue in this colonial farce, where they continue with anti-India policies.

[ssp]

That was my point.
These games are almost a show of colonial era dominance. Then we get the usual anti India bias (shooting, archery being dropped).

Just pull out and let the piddly island enjoy these games.

[prasen9]

If you think about it, the gains from a withdrawal are emotional. The gains to the sportsmen are tangible. There are very few international tournaments where we can participate this year. So, use it to get experience to some of our teams. For example, why not send a B-team or an U-23 team in hockey and only send participants in sports of our choice. Along with that, do a PR saying that since they withdrew the shooting and archery competitions, we do not really care about the overall message and are using the games as just a practice for our select teams. That would be more of a fitting reply to say that you guys don't really matter for us. As well as exposure and medals for our sportsmen who could do with the encouragement and experience. So, I am calling for a limited boycott and use them strategically and ruthlessly for our gain only.

[ssp]

Hockey India have started regular podcasts on Spotify. Search for 'Hockey Te Charcha'. Quite interesting stuff.

[ssp]

Rupinder Pal & Birendra Lakra have retired. Not totally surprised. I think the decision may have been 'made' for them.

Both have served the team very well for almost a decade. The olympic bronze medal is a great way to sign off.

[jaydeep]

Rupinder Pal & Birendra Lakra have retired. Not totally surprised. I think the decision may have been 'made' for them.

Yes, It seems that way ... Rupinder had his fitness issues in the past, Birendra looked slow ... Still I think 30 yrs and 31 yrs age respectively are early age to retire ...

[srini]

Hockey India has withdrawn from 'Piddly" games. Reason is not reduction in medal events in the sports we have prospects but the mandatory quarantine requirement for visitors from India even if they are fully vaccinated. Now we have more than one reason to withdraw entirely from the games.

First it was not recognizing India made vaccines which BBC makes sure to refer as home-grown vaccines (including Covishield which is nothing but the island's very own Astragenica)...Well is the Astragenica not a home-grown islandic nostrum?
Then they approve Covishield but not recognize any vaccination certificates from India which are generated from COWIN app. These things reek of condescending attitude of the piddly islanders. BBC comes up with articles like why there is a rush from Indian government to approve a home-grown vaccine like Covaxin and then they question why indian government wants to place a supply order 300 million unapproved (read it as not approved by WHO) . As if we should care about that China funded org!! Hope the "Worm" Batra gathers more momentum and get the full withdrawal of contingent sooner.