The Autobiography of Balbir Singh (Senior)
By Samuel Banerjee, Vikas Publishers, 1977
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Quo Vadis |
Pakistan won the World Cup in 1971; West Germany topped in Munich Olympics in 1972; Holland won the World Cup in 1973. India stormed back to take the World Cup in 1975. New Zealand surprised all by claiming the gold in the 1976 Montreal Olympics. Need I add that none of the first 3 countries in Montreal - New Zealand, Australia and Pakistan, had an 'astro-turf'. |
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a shock for hockey fans to find that the 1975 World Cup champions India and the
1972 Olympic champions Germany both did not make it to the semi-finals of the
1976 Olympics.
In the 70s we have had a spate of new international champions: Pakistan won the World Cup in 1971; West Germany topped in Munich Olympics in 1972; Holland clinched the World Cup in 1973. India stormed back to take the World Cup in 1975, but in 1976, New Zealand surprised them all by claiming the gold medal in Montreal Olympics. This shows that competition at the higher level is becoming tougher and tougher every day. Neither India nor Pakistan can take things for granted.
Need I add that the first three countries in the Montreal competition - New Zealand, Australia and Pakistan, all played the Indian style of hockey: none of them has an 'astro-turf', the synthetic surface on which the 1976 Olympic Hockey Tournament was played. Many critics in India tend to go haywire in evaluating India's debacle at Montreal by laying the blame for our defeat on artificial grass. They have not understood the problem. If anything, 'astro-turf' should help skillful teams.
If we have been pushed down in the last twenty years, it is because our hockey authorities have refused to move with the times. They have never cared to know the difficulties of players, coaches and officials.
One of the causes of India's debacle is the frequent change in officials. I do not understand why our hockey authorities change and hack officials at their whim. Even World Hockey, the official magazine of the FIH, expressed surprise that every time the Indian team went abroad for a major tournament, it had a new coach and manager. This is never done in other countries.
My only advice to future Olympians is that there is no substitute for hard and dedicated work, concentration and a clean life. If our players develop these qualities, there is no reason why India would not get back to its rightful place as world champions.
Back Cover of The Golden Hat Trick