Reviving hockey in Asia

Published March 19, 2010

THIS refers to Sanjay Saxena's letter 'Reviving hockey in Asia' (March 16). I agree with the writer that the money, glamour and interest in the game of cricket have overshadowed almost all other games.

The advent of ODIs and T20 matches has made it the ultimate spectator sport.

Unfortunately, there is hardly any club hockey in Pakistan. Owing to this, there is a lack of sponsorship. I suggest that like the ODIs and T20 matches in cricket, hockey too can be played on similar lines.

What makes the cricket ODIs and T20 interesting is the result that is seen at the end. For hockey I suggest that we limit the two playing halves to 20 minutes each. Each half should be followed by allowing three short corners to be taken by each team. The end of the second 20-minute half should be a five-penalty-stroke session. Adding this to the game will make it result-oriented and interesting.

The normal rules for awarding penalty corners and penalty strokes should continue during the field game.

LT COL (r) TANVEER A. KHAN
Karachi

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