After 3-4 years, we can see public support and momentum going in favour of Indian Hockey. Pakistan is frustrated becoz of shifting of Champions trophy and their poor performance. I beleive too many senior players retired and they are in the phase of rebuilding their team. Again I think that teams like australia or european teams dont really like to come and play in subcontinent. Security concern is just an excuse. In world today, security issues are the same. I remember once in Madrid , despite terror act, Olympic qualifying tournament was continued and all teams were playing. So I think FIH should have been more strict in penalising the teams not wanting to play. Lahore is a safe city.Eoropeans are biased towards India and pakistan as for decades as for about 50 years, they were convincingly beaten by india and pakistan. Again, IHF should consider holding champions trophy in Chandigarh where crowd of 25,000 come to see PHL matches. Great support will be there in Bombay also if they make the stadium better.
RE:long live indian hockey
by Joseph Judy on Oct 01, 2007 08:39 AM
Well said Vipul.... Also add Chennai along with Chandigarh and Mumbai.... Because you know the support that people here give to any sport will be tremendous.
Despite some surprising results in the Oceania Cup, which was the last Continental tournament for direct Olympic qualification, hockey giant Australia%u2019s women%u2019s team will join their men%u2019s team in Beijing next year in a quest for gold medals.
After the Oceania Cup, nine of the 12 Olympic participants for both the men%u2019s and the women%u2019s hockey tournament are now finalized:
PHF claims were unfair.Like Mr.Jothikumaram said it is always India who were victims of bad umpiring.Even in the final two Indian players were shown yellow card(Prabhjhot and Sardar- both were a bit harsh).Atleast in Asia and Australia umpiring is nuetral.Whereas in Eurupean soils it is totally partial towards white skinned teams.As i have told before the FIH consists of European members,all rules and policies are ammended and framed on their behalf.This condition can only change if India has equal share in FIH in terms of officials and sponsers
RE:Umpiring
by on Sep 19, 2007 02:20 PM
Pakis can only play blame game. forgive them mate as they don't have other option left after the shifting of Champions trophy. The statement came so late after the Shifting shows their character.
