Two years ago at the South East Asian Games there were memorable scenes in the eleven-a-side Hockey tournaments. First of all in the Men’s group stage Myanmar scored a 2-0 victory over Singapore for the first time ever.
They lost their last round robin match to Malaysia 6-0 but celebrated as if they had won by the same score. The reason for the celebrations was that the score-line meant that they would play in the Gold medal match against Malaysia; having qualified with a superior goal difference than Singapore.
They would lose the Final 14-0, but more importantly they had won a first ever silver medal in the sport of Hockey.
In the Women’s competition it was Thailand who defeated Singapore to earn their place in the final ahead of Singapore.
They would lose the final 2-0 but did not concede the first goal until the 46th minute. The scenes at the end of the match when the Thailand Ultras – football fans – sang the national anthem to the team was one of those beautiful moments in sport, where fans connect and show their love and respect for the players.
What a shame it is that two years later the sport is unable to build on those moments, as there is no 11-a-side Hockey at this year’s SEA Games, being hosted by the Philippines. One cannot help feeling that an opportunity has been lost.
At the same time the South Asian Games are also underway in Nepal and having been included in these games in 1995, Hockey has been omitted for the first time since 2004.
There is once again indoor hockey, however also at the Games is Floorball. A similar sport, and one that has attracted a host of field hockey players, during the winter months.
It would be interesting to know what the ticket sales were for each of these events and compare them. Questions that many are asking are can the two survive side-by-side? Which is the more exciting? Will both, being similar, have a place at multi-sport events such as the SEA Games?
The saddest thing about there being no eleven-a-side tournament in the Philippines is that here were two non-traditional hockey nations winning silver medals in 2017, and neither have the chance to build on that success. Both had clearly improved, even though they struggled to beat a powerhouse nation in the region such as Malaysia.
One is left to wonder how much interest the defence of those silver medals would have garnered, how many new players it would have attracted, and how much it would have helped the growth and momentum of the sport in both of these countries.
It must be said that the Asian Hockey Federation waged a long and hard campaign with the local organizing committee to have the event included. However, with the host nation unlikely to medal there was little interest.
One of the stumbling blocks, was one that regularly hampers the sport, the cost of laying an artificial turf.
Here we have a prime example as to how the use of artificial turf has hampered the development of the sport, at a time when development is so important; especially currently in Asia with South Korea and Pakistan on the wane.
The International Hockey Federation lists artificial pitch manufacturer Polytan as a Global supplier.
While the company is involved in laying the surface for some of the FIH’s major tournaments such as the Olympic Games one wonders why the supply of pitches to help develop the game at such events as here at the SEA Games is not written into the agreement.
Imagine if a turf had been built in one of the cities jointly hosting the SEA Games, and how the Asian Hockey Federation and the FIH could have planned follow up coaching clinics and development programs as well as events to ensure that the pitch was used after the SEA Games “circus” has left town.
If they were really serious about developing the game they would have sat down with the local Hockey Federation, who are a Member of the FIH and helped them create new Hockey clubs, and even a local league competition. After all, good clubs and a local competition are the foundation stone for a strong international program.
For those who claim this cannot be done, you need only look at Scottish Hockey, and how as part of their development plan they realized that there was no point attracting new players if they had no where to play. So they set about helping the community create new Hockey clubs. Why could that not have been done here in the Philippines? How much has been done in Thailand and Myanmar to build on that success of two years ago?
If the game is to grow, there have to be long term plans laid down around these major events to help the non-traditional hockey countries develop the game. Sponsors and suppliers could be value-added assets to that development. There is no doubt for development to be successful some of these companies need to be utilized. Surely if they witness growth, and are involved in that growth, won’t they want to remain a part of the sport?
The 2021 SEA Games will be held in Vietnam, will eleven-a-side hockey be a part of the games again then? One would have to say that it is unlikely. Cambodia is host in 2023 and Thailand in 2025. Could Thailand be the next time that Hockey will be a part of the games? Or having not been a part of the games for eight years will the pitch issue once again see it thrown in the too-hard basket and left out? What are the powers that be doing to make sure that a turf pitch is laid in Vietnam in the next year so that Hockey can return? What long term planning is there to make the pitch a catalyst for development of the game in Vietnam?
As a country they have shown what can be achieved with investment with the rise of their football team.
The SEA Games may not be a major sporting even on a Global scale but is a massive event in the region. The fact that Hockey is not a part of the games shows that when it comes to development there have to be long-term plans in terms in place as there is far more to development than simply running a clinic. Structures must be put in place that ensure a way forward in the long term.
The FIH are clearly aware of the problem, as the pitch issue was raised at the last FIH Congress. Does this need to go to the top of the priority list so that opportunities to grow the sport, such as via the SEA Games are not missed next time around? Clearly it is something to which a solution needs to be found.
A solution that still manages to showcase the game and at the same time maintains the excitement. It needs to be one that is also affordable, and makes the game accessible to all. This is probably the biggest challenge facing the sport at this point in time and hampering its growth.
