Eye on future, hockey federation waves goodbye to the past

CHENNAI: The comments under the messages composed by Rupinder Pal Singh and SV Sunil on Twitter is an indication of their popularity among Indian hockey fans. Every third message had the red heart emoji. Biren Lakra, too, had a similar outpouring of affection under Hockey India’s post.

The reaction, though, was understandable. They have all contributed to the upsurge – both in terms of performances and medals – over the last seven years. 2014 Asian Games gold, 2015 World League bronze, 2016 Champions Trophy silver, 2017 World League bronze and, of course, 2021 Olympics bronze. Now, though, is the time to look forward to the next three years and beyond.

There is another home World Cup in early 2023 followed by the Olympics in 2024. If the men’s team is to properly use the momentum gained by medalling in Tokyo, you suspect they would have to medal in both those upcoming global meets.

That’s the reason why Rupinder, Sunil and Lakra have decided to move away from the game they have so enriched over the last decade. In a modern sporting context, 30 (Rupinder), 31 (Lakra) and 32 (Sunil) is positively young.

However, with HI having told them in no uncertain terms that their playing time will dwindle in the next Olympic cycle, they have taken the decision to retire (Sunil is taking a break but a lot of dominoes will have to fall in place if he’s to wear the India jersey again).