Rejuvenating Hockey
Dhaka Mariners Young Club has captured the Senior Division Hockey League held after a lull of two and a half years. In a thrilling match, they defeated pre-match favourites Usha KC by 3-2 played in the Hockey Stadium before a handful of crowd.
Once hockey was a very popular sports in the country, perhaps second to soccer. But with the passage of time, it lost its charm due to the federation’s mismanagement, rift between the clubs and the federation officials, and few big clubs’ some unjust demands.
We think that popularity can be restored to some extent if the big clubs show restraint and federations are run by expert hands. There is example how a hockey super power like Pakistan fumble in every tournament from the Asia Cup Hockey to the World Cup because of the Pakistan Hockey Federation’s incapacity and the government’s indifference. The Bangladesh Hockey Federation can take lessons from Pakistan.
We feel that big teams like Abahani Limited, Mohammedan Sporting Club, Usha KC and Mariners Young can make splendid contribution in improving the hockey’s future in the country.
Finally, we congratulate the federation for its success in completing the league and the Mariners Young for their triumph in annexing the league title. We hope, the league will continue.
Abdullah Akber
Dhaka
