On a Sunday evening, far away in Monchengladbach, Germany, 18 Indian girls in a country of 1.2 billion have sent this message back home: "It's possible". Stand up, applaud, cry, cheer, shout your lungs off. Indian hockey has won a world cup bronze medal.
The news is struggling to find its way down the esophagus. Not unnatural though, as it fails to recognise 'success' that Indian hockey hasn't tasted for years. It last happened 16 years ago. Junior men brought the silver medal back home in 1997 and before that their seniors the trophy in 1975. This time it's the turn of women, not the trophy, not a silver but a bronze that's worth it's weight in gold.
For a moment it looked to be slipping away into the lap of colonial cousins - England, after the Dutch had earlier denied India a shot at the trophy. But the girls fought tooth and nail throughout the 70 minutes and the ensuing shoot-out. Then, it was leaps in the air, slides on the ground, jumps on the shoulders, tears in the eyes, hugs of success, high fives and a lap of honour with the Tricolour. Honour in every sense - well deserved and hard earned.
A bronze may sound 'okay' to some and a third position so-so. But those in the know of the battle Indian hockey is fighting recognise the mountain these girls have managed to climb.
Fraught with administrative tussles, frequent sackings of the coaching staff, cultural differences, language barriers, a continuous effort to chase the European teams who keep gaining ground over India and the resultant lack of success, Indian hockey has repeatedly fallen after finding strength to get up.
True that hockey is considered a man's game in India. Success of the game in India is evaluated on the success of its men's team. But this doesn't make men the sole catalyst of hockey's revival. Women can do that job equally well, and they have shown that today. They have shown that there is no dearth of talent, that Indian hockey is in talented young hands, provided it can be properly harnessed.
This win is one of those moments that has once again given Indian hockey the strength to stand up. But to ensure that it doesn't fall again is the collective responsibility of the players, who need to be consistent, and administrators, who need to be honest and proactive.
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