Can Indian hockey be given its due credit?
The year was 2007. Cheerleaders danced to the beats of a Bollywood song as India was about to script a nail-biting finish against Pakistan in the cricket Twenty20 World Cup final.
With tricolour flags in hand, almost every Indian spectator was gripped with the spirit of patriotism. The impact on TV viewers couldn’t have been less.
And all this while, little did cricket fans realise that intensity was coming from a song ‘Chak De India‘ filmed on a sport so different in its administration, handling and following.
“Chak De! India“, the film featuring the song, was an effort to remind the nation of its national sport — hockey.
Of a sport that brought the nation eight Olympic gold medals.
Of a sport that saw the emergence of a spectacular sportsman.
Of a sport that went on to witness one of its most unfortunate days when India failed to make the cut at the Olympics for the first time in 80 years.
Abhinav Bindra wins India’s first solo Olympic gold
By Erik Kirschbaum: Abhinav Bindra won India’s first ever individual Olympic gold medal on Monday with a thrilling come-from-behind victory in the men’s 10m air rifle.
Bindra had been fourth after qualifying but had a brilliant final round and even hit a near perfect 10.8 on his last shot to pull in front of Henri Hakkinen of Finland, who dropped to bronze with a poor final shot of 9.7.
That allowed China’s Zhu Qinan, the defending Olympic champion and heavy favourite, to pass him on his final shot and win the silver medal.
“It’s just great,” Bindra told Reuters just before climbing on to the podium.
And — the celebrations have begun .
Babli Bindra, Abhinav’s mother, quipped: “Now I have lots of work ahead as he is the country’s most eligible bachelor.”
Already, the 25-year-old shooter’s female fan base is growing.
hello Abinov bindra
how are you feeling? so many people congrats you.So my comment will not impress you so much.but it’s a duty to every Indian citizen to wish you. best of luck for your job.you have made a great job.your great work should be continued.
an important thing:by you, other players got motivated.so you made a master stroke.
bye…
It’s pity that hockey is in such a bad state of affairs. I have give a different prescription for the revival of Indian hockey at the blog http://chapter18.wordpress.com/2010/01/2 6/batting-for-hockey/
Do check it out.
Nara