Once they were heroes

Two former champion teams turned out to be the biggest flops at the hockey World Cup in Germany.

India and Pakistan finished 11th and sixth respectively and will have a lot of soul searching to do if they want regain some respect in the sport.
There are many reasons for these two teams falling by the wayside. The main problem, particularly in the case of India, is that the core structure of the sport is outdated and corrupted.
While a sport like cricket has become better organised and professional in these countries, hockey has languished in a mire of inter-federation rivalry, favouritism and bias.
The malaise starts at the grassroots level. There is no solid structure to nurture young talent and shape them into future stars.
Even if the talent is there, many are trapped in the web of corruption which has infested the sport at the lowest level. In India, regionalism, nepotism and even casteism have taken preference over ability to play the game.
Unlike cricket, hockey does not guarantee a player a bright future in both India and Pakistan. Many talented youngsters have given up hockey to pursue other careers and secure their future.
The treatment meted out to hockey players in India is pathetic compared to those of cricketers. They hardly get a proper allowance even at the domestic level.
The accommodation provided for them is shoddy compared to the five-star treatment granted to cricketers.
The selection process at the national level is also ridden with bias. India’s star player of a couple of years ago, Dhanraj Pillai, found himself out of the team because of the whim and fancy of one of the hockey selectors.
Consistency in selection has not happened in decades. Sub-standard players are replaced with more sub-standard players after every defeat.
There is no accountability. Federation bosses rule like dons and their dictatorial attitude has brought grief to many a player.
Then there is the question of style. Constant setbacks have meant an abandonment of the traditional Asian style of hockey and taking to a mixture of the traditional and European style.
This has not worked. Instead going back to the Asian style but keeping in mind the modern changes to the game might have provided the ideal solution.
The future looks bleak for both teams unless radical changes are brought about. It will never be easy to get rid of the cancer of corruption which has grown into gigantic proportions.
Financial security will have to be promised for the players. There is a remote chance that this will happen in the near future.
One can only hope and pray that two former Asian giants will clear their backyard and bring back the wizardry which made them great.