Hockey – The National Game Of India

 

Hockey is the national game of India. Also, it is a popular game that plays in many countries. Hockey is played outdoors on a rectangular field. Two teams of 11 players each play the game. One of them wears a helmet and pads and stands in front of the goal with a J-shaped hockey stick. The sport requires a lot of stamina and athleticism, as one has to run along with the ball and stick to score the goal. 

 

 

The game begins with a toss where both captains are present. One of them calls it correctly and gets the choice to pass first or choose a particular end of the field, just like the toss in other games. The game is played for 75 minutes, which includes a five-minute half-time interval. Both sessions last for 35 minutes each. The time is paused in between the game for substitutions, treatment for injury, etc., and then resumes.

The origins of hockey can be traced back almost 4000 years, with historical references found in Iran, Egypt, and Greece. 

 

The birth of modern hockey and the drafting of the first rules of the game were in the United Kingdom in 1876, following the establishment of the first clubs, Blackheart Club (est. 1849) and Toddington Hockey Club (est. 1871).

 

Hockey debuted at the Games of the 4th Olympiad in London, England, in 1908, with England, France, Germany, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales competing in the Olympic Men`s Hockey competition. Hockey has been present in all but two (1912 & 1924) Summer Olympic Games since 1908, with 45 nations competing on one or more occasions. Nine nations have won gold in the history of the Games, dominated by India, who have been champions on eight occasions, including a 38-year reign from 1928 until 1960. 

The hockey players take their respective positions on the field. One of the teams starts the game with a center pass and continues to attack the opponent to score a goal. The player taking the center pass can only stand in the other half of the field while his team members should stand within their half of the defending goal. The player taking the center pass is permitted to hit the ball in any direction. 

 

 

The team members keep passing the ball and look for opportunities to score the goal while the opponents tackle them and try to take control of the ball. If the game is paused at any moment for injury or substitution, it resumes by the player passing the ball the from nearest spot of stoppage of play. This is called bullying. Both players tap the faces of their sticks, and one of the players is allowed to hit the ball. A free-hit situation arises when a player hits the ball outside the sideline or baseline. A free-hit is taken by a defender by placing the ball 15 meters in line to the center of goal.

The India men’s national field hockey team represents India in international field hockey competitions, and is governed by Hockey India. 

 

In 1928, the team won its first Olympic gold medal, and until 1960, the Indian men’s team remained unbeaten in the Olympics, winning six gold medals in a row. The team had a 30–0 winning streak during this time, from their first game in 1928 until the 1960 gold medal final, which they lost. 

 

 

India also won the World Cup in 1975. India also has the best overall performance in Olympic history, with 87 victories out of the 142 matches played. They have also scored more goals in the Olympics than any other team. They are also the only team ever to win the Olympics without conceding a single goal, having done so in 1928 and 1956. The men in blue are also one of the most successful teams in Asia. They have won the Asian Games four times- in 1966, 1998, 2014, and 2022. India came out on top at the Asia Cup in 2003, 2007, and 2017. India has won 43 out of 56 matches in the Asia Cup and holds the records for most wins and best winning percentage in the competition.

The first record women’s hockey game took place in 1892 in Ontario, Canada. The Women’s League was established in 1990 in Canada. And the women’s ice hockey was included in the Olympics for the first time in 1998. 

 

 

The Indian women’s national field hockey team represents India in international field hockey and is governed by Hockey India. Nabhvarna are currently ranked 9th in the FIH World Rankings and are ranked as the second-best team in Asia. They have won the gold medals at the 2002 Commonwealth Games and 1982 Asian Games. They have also won the Women’s Asia Cup twice, i.e., in 2004 and 2017. They also won the Asian Champions Trophy in 2016 and 2023.

 

Hockey is a national game of India, also popular all over the world and has always been an entertaining sport to play and watch.

Playing hockey is a great way to improve the body in various ways, develop strong communication and listening skills, as well as respect for authority and rules. It enhances the observation power of the players as well as teaching teamwork.