As a busy 12 months of sports activities gallops to the end line, India’s prime athletes pause and mirror; inform the tales of their podium highs, battered our bodies and shattered goals. In a particular sequence, some look again with fondness, a number of others with regrets. However all with the hope – and want – of a greater 2025
The most important reminiscence of 2024 for me is my daughter Ruhanat Kaur holding the Indian flag and cheering for the Indian hockey crew in all our matches in addition to throughout the podium ceremony on the Paris Olympics.
After I put the bronze medal round her neck after the medal ceremony, and she or he was standing with the Indian flag on the pitch, she not solely represented our complete crew but additionally each single fan of Indian hockey.
What we obtained for ourselves and the nation from Paris was not solely the historic back-to-back medals on the Olympics after a spot of 52 years however the perception inside us in addition to each Indian fan that our crew can win medals at each Olympics.
After we gained the bronze within the Tokyo Olympics, it was historical past too and for the final three years, we carried that perception. Whereas the Olympic gold remained elusive for us at Paris, every considered one of us went into the semi-finals in opposition to Germany believing that we may advance to the ultimate and win the gold.
It damage that the last-minute try didn’t convert right into a purpose. However each crew offers and goals their 110-115 per cent on the Olympics and we’re glad we did that. Until the final second, we had our likelihood for the draw and probabilities of going into the ultimate.
The quarter-finals in opposition to Britain, after we had been in a troublesome scenario after the purple card, (later my photos and movies of me pointing in the direction of my head went viral too) was in regards to the mentality too.
The mentality that the Indian hockey crew is right here to provide their greatest and win medals. Gold, silver or bronze, that depends upon plenty of issues however the mentality stays the identical for us until the time we’re enjoying.
Our journey is in a method much like the one which Belgium have undertaken.
Within the final 8-10 years, Belgium have had a specific group of gamers which have performed collectively. That they had the correct mix of seniors in addition to youth and there was continuity. The most important optimistic we see in them is their tradition — all year long, there’s one or the opposite type of hockey happening there.
A crew like Belgium is all the time in rhythm and that’s what our crew targets. I used to be speaking to Belgium midfielder Victor Wegnez. He advised me how all of them had been shocked after the loss in opposition to Spain within the quarterfinals however then in addition they understood how world hockey is in the meanwhile. But, that crew gave their greatest within the 10-year cycle and the Indian hockey crew is following an identical course of.
The most important instance of that’s Sreejesh paji’s retirement. For the final decade, he was our pillar of power. Now that he has retired, the baton passes to kids like Krishan Pathak. The identical is the case of different younger midfielders or strikers or defenders when seniors retire. The transition section should be easy; there needs to be continuity.
We wish to proceed enjoying with the identical mentality — of being one of many world’s greatest. I’ll once more give Sreejesh paji’s instance.
After we had been going to play the bronze medal match, I joked with him that see the match because the climax of your biopic, and finish with one other Olympic medal. He replied saying no crew can snatch the medal from him! That’s the zone he was in — and all of us must be. We wish to be mentality monsters, not be afraid of any crew or scenario.
We’re on the correct path for that.
Trying in the direction of 2025, the goal stays to guarantee that we don’t repeat our errors and develop into higher with each passing day. There may be some work wanted when it comes to our ending abilities and in conditions the place there’s a 50-50 likelihood of scoring a purpose — prime groups do this constantly.
I’m additionally wanting in the direction of the Hockey India League and captaining the Soorma Hockey Membership. I used to be a junior at Ludhiana Academy after I used to observe Premier Hockey League matches in Chandigarh. Again then, I might dream about turning into a hockey star. The HIL can even do this for each junior participant in India.
So far as the nationwide crew goes, getting ready in a strong method for the 2026 World Cup stays the last word purpose — that’s the one medal we haven’t gained in a long time and we want to change that. 2025 can be all about laying the inspiration for that, and it’ll in flip assist us on our street to the LA Olympics.
– As advised to Nitin Sharma
Trying ahead to 2025
Other than HIL in the beginning, the 12 months 2025 can be one of many quietest worldwide hockey has seen post-pandemic. With no big-ticket occasions scheduled, aside from the Asia Cup in Bihar which is a 2026 World Cup qualifier, Craig Fulton will hope to make use of the 12 months to make sure a easy transition in a number of areas on the pitch. There can even be Professional League motion for the senior crew, to proceed to check themselves on the prime degree. The 12 months’s spotlight can be the lads’s junior World Cup at house in December and the ladies’s version in Chile. This can be a real check for Indian hockey’s expertise pool.
KEY DATES: Males’s Asia Cup, August 27 to September 7, Rajgir, Bihar
Why do you have to purchase our Subscription?
You wish to be the neatest within the room.
You need entry to our award-winning journalism.
You don’t wish to be misled and misinformed.
Select your subscription bundle
