It was once deemed as the powerhouse of the region.
From its first gold medal at the 1928 Olympics, the Indian hockey team has gone on to net eight gold medals in the Summer Games.
Nevertheless, India’s performance has somehow dwindled over the years – mostly due to the internal politicking among office bearers.
Recently, their participation in the up-coming Sultan Azlan Shah Cup was marred with controversy but was quickly addressed after the Sports Ministry ordered the Sports Authority of India to released funds for the trip to Ipoh.
However, International Hockey Federation (FIH) president Leandro Negre believes the country is finally on the right track to regaining its past status.
“India, over the past 20 years, has not been playing good hockey. But having helped them organise matters at home, we now have beautiful results,” said Negre in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday.
The Spaniard admitted the internal politics within the Hockey Association hindered the Indians from progressing further.
“In India it was always about internal problems and people fighting. I am glad to say that now under Hockey India, things have improved. In fact I would like to credit (Hockey India secretary general) Narinder Batra for his work.
“India is back,” he added.
Negre said several initiatives including the hosting of the recently concluded Hockey India League (HIL) has helped boost the federation’s image. For the record, Batra is also chairman of the inaugural HIL which was held from January 14 till February 10.
“The number of hockey sticks sold within the period of the HIL was amazing, it was more than the number of hockey sticks sold throughout 2012. That is indeed encouraging. Hockey is also being supported by big corporations and this is healthy for the sport,” he added.
Negre had earlier revealed that Malaysia could join India, Holland and Argentina in hosting “one major tournament” annually in FIH’s bid to further popularise the sport.
Haresh Deol
Wed Feb 27 2013
Berita tempatan pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Berikut adalah berita yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang Sabtu, 27 April 2024.
Lima cedera dalam tembakan di luar kelab malam di Washington
Lima cedera dalam insiden tembakan di luar sebuah kelab malam di Washington, Amerika Syarikat pada lewat Jumaat.
Potensi dilanda tsunami, pihak berkuasa tingkatkan amaran
Pihak berkuasa Indonesia tingkatkan lagi amaran Gunung Ruang di Sulawesi dengan mengeluarkan amaran tsunami susulan berlakunya sekali lagi letusan gunung ruang di wilayah Sulawesi utara pada Rabu.
Houthi tembak Kapal Tangki Minyak Andromeda Star di Laut Merah
Kumpulan Houthi terus melancarkan serangan ke atas kapal komersial di Laut Merah dan terbaharu serangan peluru berpandu mengenai kapal tangki minyak Andromeda Star.
Ratusan rumah, bangunan rosak dibadai puting beliung
Ratusan rumah, bangunan dan ladang ternakan di Omaha, Nebraska rosak akibat kejadian Puting beliung yang membadai kawasan itu pada petang Jumaat.
Hamas sudah terima maklum balas Israel mengenai cadangan gencatan senjata
Rundingan sebelum ini pada November lepas menyaksikan pembebasan 81 rakyat Israel dan 24 warga asing dengan pertukaran 240 warga Palestin termasuk 71 wanita dan 169 kanak-kanak.
95 kanak-kanak mangsa diselamatkan di India
Seramai 95 kanak-kanak berumur empat hingga 12 tahun diselamatkan di Uttar Pradesh di utara India, dipercayai mangsa pemerdagangan manusia dari negeri jiran, Bihar.
Pesara tentera diminta kemaskini data di JHEV
Jelas Adly setakat ini lebih 213 ribu veteran berdaftar dengan jabatan tersebut, berbanding sekitar 300,000 yang telah bersara dalam perkhidmatan.
10 Berita Pilihan - (27 April 2024)
Antara pelbagai berita dalam dan luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
Tumpuan Ahad - 28 April 2024
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan di Astro AWANI.