The National Game is worth Rs.1 Crore- that is it!

I had to count the number of zeroes twice! I could not believe that the Indian Hockey Team had needed just that amount to go back to practice and it had actually taken a stand-off to get that money from the sponsor.

I am not even going to compare that amount to the money that is spent on cricket in this country because that comparison is overdone and not valid anymore given the cult following cricket has. I am going to compare it to a sport of the elite and very new to the Indian masses- Golf. A news report recently spoke about how the prize money for the biggest tournament in the country is close to 7 Crores!

So why can’t we get Rs. 1 Crore for our National Game? Who is responsible for preserving the dignity of the game? To me the responsibility lies squarely on the shoulders of the Government. After all Hockey is our national game and as long as it is that and does not have commercial backing, surely it should be propped up the Government. After all if we were not committed to the sport then why did we agree to host the World Cup?

The Government can not absolve itself of this responsibility and when private sector participation is not forthcoming, it must make arrangements for the funds. If not, then own up to it, change the National sport and do not host any more Hockey World Cups.