National Sports Day special: Where India stands in the world of sports

Hockey

The Good

In December 2012, the Indian Men’s hockey team finished 4th in the 34th Champions Trophy in Melbourne and followed that up with a bronze medal finish at the 2012 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.

In the recently held 7th Women’s Junior Hockey World Cup, the Indian girls created history by grabbing bronze for the first time ever.

The young guns beat England 3-2 in the bronze medal playoff match to notch India’s first podium finish at the event.

Indian junior women’s team

The Bad

Indian hockey hit its nadir at the 2012 London Olympics, when the men’s team returned home after finishing last. Coach Michael Nobbs and the team came in for a lot of criticism following the dismal performance, but things have improved since.

What’s happening right now in Indian hockey

The Asia Cup 2013 is the last opportunity for the teams to grab a World Cup seat.

The men’s team has already reached the semifinals of the ongoing Asia Cup after knocking out defending champions South Korea. They face Malaysia in the semifinals, and a win in this match would take the team one step closer to the World Cup. Interim coach Roelant Oltmans has high expectations from his wards.

The women’s team is set to compete in the Asia Cup in late September, and it has been slotted into a tough group alongside defending champions China, hosts Malaysia and Hong Kong.