The New Turn Around The Corner

The Indian women hockey players have always been the poor cousins of the men's team. Backed by a federation ravaged by internal politics, there seemed no hope in sight—their game was suffering and nobody seemed to care for the players. Then, earlier this year, the women had to wait for months on end to play the US in a play-off for a berth in the World Cup at Perth later this year. They did finally play, just a few weeks before the Manchester Games, but lost out narrowly.

But Manchester was different. And their game against England in the final was their best ever—the eves braved some poor umpiring decisions and for the best part of the game played with only 10 players. And then, after all the hard work, Mamta Kharab's golden goal was mired in controversy. Even as the Indians took the penalty corner, the half-time hooter for the extra-time period sounded. It was still legitimate, but the umpire seemed ignorant of the rule governing penalty corners. According to the rules, the penalty corner must go through if awarded before the half-time or full-time hooter and that play be continued till a goal is scored or the ball is declared dead. Fortunately, the technical table knew the rules better and allowed India's golden goal stand.

The last time Indian women struck gold was 20 years ago at the 1982 Asian Games. Since then, they have been fighting matters off the turf—poor administration meant the players were often given the rough end of the stick. Even on the eve of the Commonwealth Games, talk centred not around their chances, but the fact that the men's team was not included in the list of eight chosen for the Games.