Competitive hockey entered a revolutionary phase when synthetic pitches came into vogue after the Montreal Olympic Games in 1976.
Very few sports probably have gone through such a stunning metamorphosis as hockey in the last four decades in relation to rules, equipment, colour of balls, pitches and on-field communications.
It is again on the threshold of a transformation. This is in regard to the new format from September 1, more accurately, with the Asian Games at Incheon.
The system of four quarters of 15 minutes each with a two-minute break at the end of the first and third session is not a new concept. This was experimented here in some events. “It is a change from the point of entertainment, but we have to wait and see the advantages in the long run,” said former Olympian and coach V. Baskaran.
The Moscow Games gold medallist feels splitting the match into four parts might impede the tempo, especially when a team is leading 2-0 and going all out for the third. A break at this point, even if it is for two minutes, is likely to affect the rhythm. He is anxious to know how well the national team is gearing up to meet the challenges in the new system under the Aussie coach Terry Walsh. The Aussies have been playing this format for a while in local competitions.
B.P. Govinda, former Olympian and currently chairman of the national selection committee, gives the new format a thumbs-up. His reading is that the time-out between the quarters will help the players to catch their breath. It will afford coaches time to revise the strategy for the next session. He feels with the playing time clipped by 10 minutes from 70 to 60 both the players and coaches stand to benefit more.
Former international umpire, Md. Muneer, agrees with Govinda. He views the format to be more interesting for spectators and TV audience, apart from providing a breather for the umpires and table officials. He believes technical supervision will become more professional.
R.V. Raghu Prasad, umpire in the world panel, says that the format will improve the pace of play compelling umpires to be fitter and concentrate more on the flow. He is unable to comprehend the reason for confining a match to 60 minutes. However, he is sceptical whether the two-minute break can contribute substantially to commercial promotion.
But the FIH on curtailment of 10 minutes says the additional time-outs for penalty corners ensure that the new 60-minute format is primarily actual playing time and eliminates the dead time associated with penalty corner set up while allowing for goal celebrations.
What eventually matters is the consensus in the FIH. Leandro Negre, President, FIH, said while announcing the change, “the decision demonstrates our commitment to fan engagement. With the additional breaks, fans will have the opportunity to enjoy more replays and be more engaged with the event whether in the stadium or watching from afar.”
For the hockey fraternity a brave new world is waiting for the dawn.
