Yesterday As I watched the India vs South Africa match, there was little to be happy about. India and South Africa ended their playing time with three goals from each side. So it was a draw.
As someone seeing the match on the television screen, I thought Indian players were bit let down morally because of some decisions made by the referees. I felt the boys played giving their best efforts.
Don’t know how much determination the players had while playing against England.
Now India will play for the 7th and 8th position in the tournament. Let’s see if they can better the previous 11th position India was in.
The commentators in English were not neutral with their words when India was playing. Their commentary did not go down well with many. To avoid this situation we have to become stronger and get a place in the top 3 and then what these people will say has to be heard.
Yesterday as I sat watching India playing their third match - India vs Spain - there was nothing to be happy about. What has happened to the Indian team that played against Pakistan, a win over them and hopes of every Indian rising to see his/her country’s hockey making a place in this Hockey World Cup? Indian hopes have been shattered, Indian team losing to Spain playing before the home crowd in their home ground.
This brings to mind many diverse thoughts:
Why this sudden change in the attitude of the players.
The defence was weak and there was enough gaps for the opponents to give the finish.
Did the Indian players not do their home work before coming out to play?
Sad affair they couldn't convert the penalty corners.
To say without Shivendra Indian team has lost their moral boost. Just a plea.
Is the past rift between the Indian Hockey Federation and the players still going on which has demoralised the morals of the players?
So many questions have come up in the minds of the people but the end answer is - the mood of Indian Hockey lovers has dampened.
Media has written so much about the match that every hockey game lover has got the details even if they could not go to the stadium to watch the match or could not get time to watch it live on their television sets.
Still the remaining hockey matches will be watched with interest and enthusiasm even if India is not playing. After all the best team deserves to win and be cheered.
At least being the host country Indian Hockey could get a place in this tournament. But they have lost their chance.
Time for Indian Hockey to rise above the level they are in and stop being called “Under Dogs”.
Isn’t it?
I sat watching on the television the two teams - India and Pakistan - lining up to start their first match. When the Indian National Anthem was played it brought tears to my eyes. These were not the tears of sadness but that of a sense of pleasure overcoming my emotions. The Anthem itself brings the sense of pride and love, and my sentiments ran wild and fast. Don’t know why? But there was that strong feeling for my country...of love and adoration and honour.
Soon the match started, arch rivals playing against one another, India vs Pakistan.
Why am I talking of all this...emotions, admiration, love, pride and...when I’ve dedicated this space for Hockey, that too the World Cup being played in the Dhyan Chand National Stadium, Delhi.
Till the day the World Cup Hockey tournament started there was little hope about the attention this event would get. For the third match of the opening day (February 28, 2010), I mean this India-Pakistan match, the stadium stands were mostly full. This shows the interest people still have for our National Game.
From the beginning Indian players were at their best. They managed with 4 goals having missed a very near 2 more. The players excelled in all areas.
For the Pakistanis, they struggled, missing their opportunities to convert the penalty corners to goals. At last they could hit the ball into the goal post for a lone goal.
For sure Indians across the country are happy with the performance of the players. Today (March 2, 2010) India takes on Australia. A win over them makes it easy for the Indian team to reach the semi-finals.
Fingers crossed I’ll watch today’s match and cheer from my drawing room sitting area for the players.
The Hockey players have shown their talent and skill on the field and with that people have also raised their interest bar in this game.
One more win today and I’ll shout, “Jai Ho Hockey our National Game”.
With this sweet note...
Cricket cricket once again,
Sending message not in vain,
Players keep up country’s fame,
India on Number 1 spot again.
Cricket lovers are happy. Indian players have made them proud by winning the Test Match at Eden Garden. This win makes the Indian Team keep their No. 1 place in tact.
The cricketers have done the country proud.
In the upcoming Hockey World Cup tournament we want our players to make us proud. With the coming Commonwealth Games it is to be seen how many gold, silver and bronze medals India can clinch.
The Terror Threat alarm has already rung for the first ODI to be played between India and South Africa in Jaipur on Sunday (21 Feb. 2010).
Apart from this there has been report from Intelligence Agencies about terror strikes during various events to be held in India including the IPL matches, Hockey World Cup and the Commonwealth Games (CWG).
The government is making all efforts in giving assurance to the visiting countries of providing foolproof security for these upcoming events.
The whole picture that’s created due to the threat leaves a commoner’s mind to think how successful these sports will be when the dates are due. It also leaves behind the thought how many participating countries can make it for the events.
Delhi has made a huge facelift for the CWG and still more work has to be completed. But how successful will the Games be remains to be seen.
But for Delhites, no doubt this city is getting a better look day by day. At the end it is the people of Delhi who will enjoy every change even though they must have faced the huge trouble when the work was going on.
Keeping aside the terror threat the CWG is a big event of 2010 not only for the people of Delhi but for people across the globe.
Let’s keep our fingers crossed and pray everything runs off smoothly.
