League of opportunity? Some say HIL one of many factors to improve the game; others disagree

By: Gaurav Kalra

For a sport habituated to extreme cynicism in the wake of underwhelming performances or nostalgia of the glory days, this has been a month to celebrate. Across the country, the thrills of modern hockey were on show for both the connoisseur and the curious follower.

Quick-paced, energetic and ferociously contested, with six franchises featuring the world’s best players, the Hockey india League (HIL) was a spectacle.

Former India captain Viren Rasquinha believes the tournament is the “best thing” to have happened to Indian hockey in terms of “sheer magnitude”. Rasquinha reckons playing in an event of this quality will inevitably raise the quality of Indian players.

“Learning about tactics and strategy from these master coaches is an invaluable experience that cannot be replicated,” he says. Jagbir Singh, runners-up Punjab Warriors coach says, “For the first time the value of a player is connected directly to performance, he has a sense of security that even playing for India didn’t provide.” Not everyone is convinced though.

Among the doubters, former national captain and coach Joaquim Carvalho is of the view that Indian players are being dwarfed by their foreign counterparts at HIL. “For instance, most teams use foreign players in goal. It will boost the confidence of Indian goalkeepers if they take on the world’s best strikers. Instead, they have been kept on the bench,” says Carvalho.

Jagbir disagrees.

“Earlier one or two Indians would play in European leagues. Now, so many have the chance to rub shoulders with the best. It can only enhance their confidence,” says the coach.

The key question is if the league can be a supply line for Indian hockey’s most vital requirement-an improved national team. After finishing at the bottom of the table at the last Olympic games, there has been little to suggest a revival is on. New coaches have been installed and zestful young players have been introduced, and yet the results have stayed annoyingly average. Rasquinha says the problems of the national team are “too deep-rooted” and, while a strong league enhances the sport, it is only one of many factors that will improve the game.