Lack of domestic structure holding back Indian hockey
BHUBANESWAR: Dharmavir Singh made his India team debut on the 2009 Canada tour, and the midfielder was part of the 2014 CWG, and 2010 and 2014 Asian Games medal-winning squads. He was an integral part of the side until he suffered a back injury at the national camp before the 2016 Champions Trophy. But once out of the camp, Dharmavir had no idea on which platform he should perform to prove his fitness and get noticed again.
This year, before the core group for the Gold Coast CWG was announced, he took part in the nationals held in Lucknow. He was the highest scorer for triumphant Punjab, but only two players from that side got a call for the national camp, and Dharmavir was not one of them.
“Once out of the national camp, we have no idea which route we should follow to get back into the camp. After the Hockey India League (HIL) ended last year, we have no idea in which domestic tournament we should participate where the national selectors will assess our game,” says the 28-year-old. “I am not saying ‘take me in the team’. My issue is at least give me a chance or platform where I can be considered for the national camp. If I don’t deserve, it’s fine, but without opportunity you feel helpless,” he adds.
Former stalwart, Col Balbir Singh, says: “HIL played an important role in lifting the standard of our hockey, but we need a permanent domestic structure from where players get a chance in the national camp.”
In Australia or Europe, their top players have to prove their worth again and again in domestic tournaments. And their presence also helps lift the standard of the youngsters competing.
All the teams that have qualified for the semi-finals in this World Cup have strong domestic structures, which is the secret to their winning medals in top tournaments.
Australia has its national-level event, Australian Hockey League (AHL). Eight teams, winners of the intra-province tournament, compete in AHL, which provides the platform for players to get into the national squad. Belgium and Holland have strong club leagues from where the national team is picked, while England has a Hockey League.
“In Australia, the national league plays an important role in providing an opportunity to the players to get into the national squad. So, if India wants to be among the top teams, they have to strengthen their domestic structure. In the absence of HIL, the domestic system has to be strong,” says former Australian great Ric Charlesworth.
In India, apart from the nationals, there are six-seven All-India tournaments — Surjit in Jalandhar, Beighton Cup in Kolkata and Bombay Gold Cup, among others. But over the years they have lost sheen as they don’t have much standing when it comes to picking the national team.
“When top players (national campers) are being restricted from participating in these tournaments, we are killing domestic structure. I doubt if national selectors are attending some of these tournaments,” says Col Balbir, who was a national selector for 10 years.
“As of now, we don’t go to the All-India tournaments, we only go to the nationals for selection,” says Olympic medallist Harbinder Singh, chairman of the selection committee. “But I can tell you no good player is left out,” he says. However, another national selector, who requested anonymity, said, ““I’m sorry to say, but at this moment, the selectors have no say. At times we don’t even get a call during the selection trials.”