Hockey is our national game.

The game is played all over the country in all the

states. India was the world champion in hockey for many years. Hockey has now be
come popular in many countries. Pakistan, Holland, Germany, England and Australi
a play the game very well. There is a keen competition at the international leve
l.
Hockey is a fast game. Players can be seen running in the field all through when
the game is in progress. Every minute there is a mo0ve, which may change the ch
ances in the game. Hence everyone is alert all through. The goal keeper, the cen
tre forwards, the right and left backs are all important in the game. It is a te
am work that leads to success. Our country has produced a number of world class
players. Dhyan Chand is one such, who is called the wizard of hockey. In fact Pu
njab contributes more number of players to the game of hockey.
India first became the world champion, in hockey, in 1928, by winning the Gold M
edal at Amsterdam Olympics. Since then, it continued to be the champion till it
lost in the Rome Olympics. It came down to the seventh place in the Montreal Oly
mpics. India regained the Gold Medal at Moscow Olympics in 1980. We lost the Gol
d Medal in 1984.
Hockey, kike cricket, is a popular game in our country. It is not a costly one.
Hockey is played both by men and women. Inter-school competitions and state leve
l competitions are held for schools. The following trophies are associated with
the game of hockey (1) Dhyan Chand Trophy (2) Lady Ratan Trophy (for women) (3)
Nehru Trophy (4) Scindia Gold Cup and (5) Ragaswamy Cup.
I had the opportunity to be a member of the winners of a State-level hockey matc
h at Kurnool this year. This important match was between Andhra Pradesh Resident
ial School. Tadikonda and the Coles High School, Kurnool. As you know the game o
f hockey is very popular in Kurnool district. Before the game commenced at 3.30
P.M. the contesting teams were introduced to the chief guest.