Putting the blame squarely on the long-standing power struggle between Hockey India and Indian Hockey Federation for the steep decline of the national game, former captain Dhanraj Pillay expressed his desire to join the administration of the sport.
Former hockey captain Pargat Singh represented India in three Olympic Games between 1988 and 1996. He is the only man to captain India in two Olympics - at Barcelona '92 and Atlanta '96.
The para-athletes outnumbered the able-bodied ones in the list this time due to the magnificent Paris Paralympics performance in which they returned with 29 medals, including seven gold and nine silver.
The former junior India captain will captain the team for the Champions Trophy as Dilip Tirkey has been ruled out following an illness.
If Dhyan Chand's wizardry was a source of joy in a colonised India, Balbir Singh Sr's artistry was an inspiration for an India trying to find its bearings post-independence.
'The design of the logo of this competition is a symbol of the rich cultural heritage and all-round progress of glorious Bihar.'
'I spoke to Paddy, and I made some changes.' 'After that, I slept well in the last two days -- at least eight hours each day.' 'So, I was fresh in the games. Sleep is very important.'
Just two days are left for its start but the World Series Hockey continues to remain in a limbo as the FIH on Monday said it cannot give sanction to the lucrative league until the two warring factions -- Hockey India and Indian Hockey Federation -- reach an agreement.
On Friday, barring a few, most of the team members returned to their native places after being granted the break.
The Indian women's team, however, had a bad day in office, losing both its matches against Uruguay (3-4) and Poland (1-3).
Pakistan head coach Muhammad Saqlain admitted that India are ahead of his side in terms of preparations.
India outclassed South Korea 5-3 in a hard-fought semi-final to enter the gold medal clash of the men's hockey competition at the Asian Games.
The outbreak of the deadly Coronavirus has forced the Indian women's hockey team to cancel its tour of China, leaving the federation with the difficult task of finding an opponent to compete with as part of its preparation for the Olympics. The Indian women's team was scheduled to travel to China from March 14 to 25. However, due to the fast-spreading disease, that has killed over 636 people so far and infected more than 30,000 people, it has been cancelled.
The Indian women thus avenged their 0-1 defeat against Japan in the last edition of the Games in Jakarta in 2018.
The Chinese managed to enter their opponent's circle on frequent basis but failed to find the back of the net as the Indians defended stoutly.
Sonam's breakout performance in the inaugural Women's HIL season has earned her a spot among reserves in the national camp for the Bhubaneswar leg of the Women's Pro League beginning on February 15.
Hockey India (HI) secretary general Bhola Nath Singh on Saturday claimed that India will definitely win gold at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics if they miss out on the yellow metal in Paris next year.
India defenders Harmanpreet Singh and Udita stole the show as they emerged as the most costliest players in the auction of Hockey India League.
The Pakistan hockey team has got the green signal to travel to India for the upcoming Asian Champions Trophy slated to be held in Chennai from August 3.
The penalty-corner specialist is expected to fill the void left by Jugraj Singh.
India kept their Olympic qualification dreams alive by beating lower-ranked Italy in the shoot-out in a classification match of the women's Hockey World League semi-finals at the KHC Dragons Stadium in Antwerp.
The former captain, however, rejected Norman's claim of factionalism in HI, saying all is well within the federation.
The 84-year-old was part of the silver winning Indian hockey team in the Rome Olympics in 1960.
Legendary Olympians urged the authorities concerned that Mumbai be allowed to continue in its present independent state with direct affiliation to Hockey India as a full member.
Hockey India received a shot in the arm after the International Hockey Federation (FIH) formally recognised the newly-formed body as its member and the sole governing body of the game, both men and women, in the country. In a letter to Hockey India secretary Mohammad Aslam, dated June 14, FIH secretary-general Peter L Cohen said the FIH has recognised Hockey India as its member in place of Indian Hockey Confederation (IHC).
Although the Indian Hockey Federation has not yet announced the team, the 16-member list has been put up on the official Asian Games' website.
Indian men's hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh said the honour is a recognition of his "fascinating" journey in which he still has plenty more to achieve.
The Indian hockey teams at the Olympics are facing a shortage of chairs and Television sets at the Games Village and chief coach Roelant Oltmans has complained that the players' apartments are not properly furnished. In a letter to Chef de Mission of the Indian contingent Rakesh Gupta, Oltmans complained about unfurnished accommodation provided to both the men's and women's hockey teams. "The apartments of the Rio Olympics are not furnished properly," Oltmans, who is also the High Performance Director of Indian hockey, wrote in his letter.
The Indian Govt. has relegated hockey from priority to general sport because of a string of poor performances of the team.
He was a talismanic midfielder who played the game on his own terms with fitness being key to his success
With the 2020 Tokyo Summer Games being postponed by a year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sardar feels the Indian team will get some time to work on its grey areas and unearth new talent.
Pro League: India women suffer second straight loss to Belgium
India named striker Rani Rampal as skipper and Deep Grace Ekka and Savita as two vice-captains of the national women's hockey team for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics to be held from July 23 to August 8.
Navneet Kaur struck twice to help the Indian women's team register a come-from-behind 2-2 draw against hosts Spain.
Several athletes, including the hockey men's and women's teams of India, took part in the flag-hoisting ceremony at the CWG Village on Thursday.
Hockey India sought ten weeks' time to respond to the Delhi Commission for Women's notice on the allegations of sexual harassment against hockey captain Sardar Singh but firmly threw its weight behind the Indian captain by questioning the complainant's 'belated' charges.
The Indian hockey team has been invited for the first Mini World Cup by hosts Netherlands.
'Right now hockey is totally changed and anyone can beat anyone depending on the day. It depends on how many chances you create.'
Hockey Olympian Manohar Topno on Wednesday blamed lack of infrastructure and rivalry between the Indian Hockey Federation and Hockey India as major causes for the game's declining standard in the country.
