Recap 2024: Indian Hockey, a year of triumphs and challenges

The year 2024 has been a mixed bag for Indian hockey, with the men's team reaching new heights while the women's team faced setbacks. This recap delves into the achievements and failures of both teams, highlighting the standout performers and the significant role of Odisha in promoting the sport.

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Men's Hockey: A bronze lining in Paris

The Indian men's hockey team had a memorable year, clinching the bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics. This marked their second consecutive Olympic bronze, a feat not achieved since 1972¹. The team, led by captain Harmanpreet Singh, showcased their resilience and determination throughout the tournament. Adding to the excitement, Harmanpreet Singh's daughter, Ruhanat Kaur, was seen cheering for the Indian hockey team and holding the Indian flag in all their matches, including the podium ceremony³.

Paris 2024 Olympics: A rollercoaster ride

The team's journey in Paris was a rollercoaster ride. They started strong, winning their first two group stage matches against New Zealand (3-2) and Ireland (2-0). In their third match, they drew against Argentina (1-1). They then faced tough competition from Belgium, losing 1-2⁴. Despite this setback, they bounced back to defeat Australia 3-2, securing their place in the quarter-finals.

In the knockout stages, India edged out Great Britain in a thrilling shootout and faced Germany in the semi-finals. Despite a valiant effort, they lost a close match 2-3, setting up a bronze medal clash against Spain. In a nail-biting encounter, India emerged victorious with a 2-1 win, securing their place on the podium.

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Other highlights

Beyond the Olympics, the men's team participated in the Asian Champions Trophy, where they maintained an impeccable record, winning all their matches and ultimately clinching the title. They also played a bilateral series against Germany in October, winning the second match 5-3 but losing the series in a penalty shootout. However, concerns remain about the team's future and the need to address inconsistencies in their performance to ensure continued success in upcoming tournaments. In April 2024, the team faced a heavy 5-0 defeat against Australia in a five-match series at the International Festival of Hockey.

Star performers

Harmanpreet Singh emerged as the team's top scorer and a key player in their Olympic success. His drag-flicking prowess was instrumental in securing crucial goals throughout the tournament. He was nominated, along with PR Sreejesh, for the FIH Hockey Stars Awards 2024. Other notable performers included Abhishek, who scored vital goals against Belgium and Australia in the group stages, and AmitRohidas, the team's vice-captain and a stalwart in defense.

Women's Hockey: A year of missed opportunities and triumphs

The Indian women's hockey team experienced a year of contrasting fortunes. While they achieved a significant victory in the Asian Champions Trophy, they also faced the disappointment of missing out on the Paris 2024 Olympics. Captain SalimaTete acknowledged the team's struggles with fitness as a contributing factor to their setbacks.

Asian Champions Trophy Triumph

The women's team showcased their strength by winning the Asian Champions Trophy for the third consecutive time. They dominated the tournament, topping the group stage with impressive victories over Malaysia (4-0), Thailand (13-0), and China (3-0). In the semi-finals, they overcame a resilient Japan 2-0 and went on to defeat China 1-0 in the final, securing the championship. This victory was met with accolades, including rewards announced by the Asian Hockey Federation and the Bihar government.

Failure to Qualify for Paris 2024

The team's Olympic dream was dashed after a series of setbacks. They first lost 4-0 to China in the semi-finals of the Asian Games, which served as the first qualifying event for the Olympics. Following this, they needed a top-three finish at the FIH Olympic Qualifiers in Ranchi to secure an Olympic spot. However, their campaign ended with a 1-0 loss to Japan in the bronze medal match. Their struggles with penalty corner conversion and inconsistent performances were key factors in their failure to qualify.

Junior Asia cup success

The Indian junior women's hockey team also had a successful year, defending their title at the Women's Hockey Junior Asia Cup. They displayed exceptional skill and determination throughout the tournament, culminating in a shootout victory against China in the final.

Hockey India League Returns

After a seven-year hiatus, the Hockey India League (HIL) made a comeback in 2024-25. This edition marked the first time a women's tournament was included, running concurrently with the men's competition. The tournament, featuring eight men's and six women's teams, commenced on December 28th and is scheduled to conclude on February 1st.

Sultan of Johor Cup 2024

The Indian junior men's hockey team participated in the Sultan of Johor Cup 2024. Dilraj and Sharda were the standout performers, leading India to a 6-4 victory over Great Britain.

National Women's Inter-departmental Championships

RSPB emerged as the champions of the National Women's Inter-departmental Championships 2024, defeating IOCL 3-1 in the final. Railways and IOC were the other semi-finalists.

Men's Hockey Junior Asia Cup 2024

The Indian junior men's hockey team emerged victorious in the Men's Hockey Junior Asia Cup 2024, defeating Pakistan 5-3 in the final. Araijeet Singh Hundal was the star performer, scoring four goals in the final.

IND vs GER Bilateral Series 2024

The Indian men's hockey team played a bilateral series against Germany in 2024. Mandeep Singh made a return to the 22-member squad.

Odisha: The cradle of Indian Hockey

Odisha has played a pivotal role in the resurgence of Indian hockey. The state government, under former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, stepped in as the official sponsor of the Indian men's and women's hockey teams in 2018 when the sport was struggling financially. This sponsorship was recently extended till 2036 by current Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. Odisha's investment has not only supported the national teams but has also led to the development of world-class infrastructure and the growth of hockey at the grassroots level in the state.

Odisha has developed world-class infrastructure to promote hockey, including the BirsaMunda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, the largest seated outdoor hockey stadium in the world. The state has also hosted several international tournaments, including two FIH Men's Hockey World Cups, the FIH Men's Series Finals in 2019, and the Olympic Hockey Qualifiers in the same year. Furthermore, the Odisha government has commenced the construction of a new world-class stadium in Rourkela city, which will be the biggest stadium for hockey in India.

Popularizing Hockey in Odisha

Odisha has implemented various initiatives to popularize hockey at the grassroots level. The government also promotes hockey in schools and colleges and conducts coach education workshops and certification programs in collaboration with the Naval Tata Hockey Academy and Hockey India.

Odisha's contribution to Men's Hockey

Odisha's contribution to the men's national team is evident with Amit Rohidas, a key member of the Olympic bronze-winning team, hailing from the state. The Odisha CM felicitated Rohidas and announced a cash reward of Rs 4 crore for him. The CM also announced rewards for the Indian hockey teams for their bronze medal win at the Paris Olympics. Former Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik also felicitated the Olympic bronze-winning hockey team. During the felicitation ceremony, sand artist SudarshanPatnaik presented a photo frame of his work to the Indian team members.

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A promising future for ‘Indian Hockey’

The year 2024 presented contrasting fortunes for Indian hockey. The men's team continued their upward trajectory with a second consecutive Olympic bronze medal, demonstrating their consistency in major tournaments and their ability to overcome setbacks. On the other hand, the women's team, despite their Asian Champions Trophy triumph, faced challenges in qualifying for the Olympics, highlighting the need to address inconsistencies and improve penalty corner conversion.

Odisha's unwavering support has been instrumental in the resurgence of Indian hockey. The state's investment in infrastructure, grassroots development, and sponsorship of national teams has not only nurtured talent within Odisha but has also significantly contributed to the national teams' success.

With the return of the Hockey India League and the continued commitment of stakeholders like the Odisha government, Indian hockey appears poised for a bright future. The focus on grassroots development, coupled with international exposure and consistent performances, will be crucial for both the men's and women's teams to achieve greater success on the global stage.