Hockey in the wind again

[1]

The second Anglo-Indian hockey tournament will start at the MRK Stadium, Egmore, on Friday. Twelve teams from across the country will take part in the two-day event. Bow Barracks, Kolkata, are the defending champions and they have confirmed their participation.

The first edition, which was also conducted in Chennai two years ago, was a grand success on all fronts. Matches were contested fiercely and there was also non-stop barracking from the stands.

Anglos in the wind, a magazine published from Chennai for the Anglo-Indian community, is at the forefront of organising the event. Harry MacLure, editor of Anglos in the wind, said Hyderabad and Bengaluru had showed interest to conduct the tournament in 2011. “But the onus fell on Chennai after the two cities failed to get their act together. We are delighted to shoulder the responsibility,” Harry said.

Hockey and Anglo-Indians were synonymous in the first half of the 20th century. Nine members of India’s gold-medal winning squad at the 1928 Olympics were Anglo-Indians. The community’s interest in hockey has waned dramatically in recent decades. Migration of Anglo-Indians, most notably to Australia, is one of the main reasons.

Leslie Fernandez, a World Cup winner and an Anglo-Indian himself, said the population of the community is dwindling alarmingly in India. “The aim of many Anglo-Indian youngsters is to settle in Australia or Canada. I also feel that the hard work needed to excel at a sport like hockey is turning them away,” he added.

Harry said the main objective of the tournament was to rekindle the hockey fire among Anglo-Indians. “There is certainly a buzz in the community about the tournament.

By meeting an Olympic legend like Leslie Claudius in Chennai, youngsters will get to know the fantastic achievements of Anglo-Indians in hockey.

I fervently hope that the two-day event will inspire more and more Anglo-Indian children to take up hockey. We have lit up a small spark. I have heard that another Anglo-Indian hockey tournament will be held in Bengaluru shortly,” he added.

Harry said the second edition has received great support from Anglo-Indians. “My inbox is full of good luck messages received from various parts of the world.

Sponsorship from corporate houses is also encouraging. We accept contributions from individuals. What is more important than the amount they give is their willingness to make the tournament a success.

Many pensioners have loosened their purses generously. The tournament has certainly fostered a sense of togetherness,” he added.

Besides offering a great opportunity for Anglo-Indians to revisit their glorious past in hockey, the two-day event also presents a valuable networking opportunity for the community.