Paris 2024: 'Our Country's Expectation Has Always Been Gold' - Ashok Dhyanchand on Indian Hockey Team's Quest for Olympic Glory

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Hockey legend Ashok Dhyanchand has weighed in on the expectations for the Indian men's hockey team at the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics. Hockey has given India eight gold medals and it has always been very close to every sports lover in the country.

Dhyanchand - who is the son of hockey wizard Major Dhyanchand and an Olympian himself - in an interview with myKhel, emphasised the historical significance of field hockey in India. Paris Olympics Special Page | India At Olympics

Dhyanchand - who was part of the 1972 Munich Olympic bronze medal-winning Indian side - spoke of a time when a gold medal win in 1928, amidst colonial rule, brought immense pride and ignited a national connection with the sport. This legacy, he argued, fuels the nation's desire to see the team reclaim its golden past.

"In our country, there is a special feeling and love for hockey. There is an attachment to the whole country. And we all want that when this team goes, it gets some medal. Because this hockey game is our traditional game. It is a part of India's tradition. It is our history," he said on the sidelines of an event organised by the Delhi Sports Journalist Association (DSJA) & Sports Authority of India (SAI) in New Delhi.

Hockey India will field a 16-member squad for the Paris 2024 Olympics from July 26 to August 11. Experienced defender Harmanpreet Singh will captain the team, with midfielder Hardik Singh as vice-captain.

Harmanpreet, pivotal in India's bronze win at Tokyo 2020 and debuting in Rio 2016, will lead alongside veterans PR Sreejesh and Manpreet Singh, both set for their fourth Olympics. Manpreet previously captained the team in Tokyo.

The squad mixes experience and youth, with five players - Jarmanpreet Singh, Sanjay, Raj Kumar Pal, Abhishek, and Sukhjeet Singh - making their Olympic debut. India qualified by winning the Asian Games title last year.

In Pool B, India will face New Zealand on July 27, followed by matches against Argentina, Ireland, Belgium, and Australia, concluding group play on August 2. The knockout stage begins on August 4, with the final on August 8, at Stade Yves-du-Manoir in Paris.

Can Harmanpreet Singh-led side emulate the 1980 Moscow Olympics performance?

India aims to replicate their 1980 Olympic gold success, starting their campaign on July 27. Fans eagerly await their performance on this grand stage. Dhyanchand acknowledges the contributions of past Olympic captains and gold medalists.

He highlights the current team's position as a culmination of their efforts. However, he recognises the changing times and the need for the current players to carve their path.

"So, a very big list will be made. But I call them with great respect. Because of them, the hockey team that we are seeing today, The position that we are seeing, It is the position of those players who have won the gold medal from 1928 to 1980," Dhyanchand added.

Gold: The Undying Dream

Dhyanchand admits that the national expectation has always been gold. He acknowledges recent setbacks but emphasizes that the unwavering desire for a golden victory persists.

"Our country's expectation has always been gold. So that gold is still there. Even though we have brought ourselves down many times during this time, but when we are going to play a match or a tournament, the expectations are the same that our team will win the gold medal," he stated.

Strengths: Continuity, Effort, and a Well-Rounded Team

Despite facing past debacles, Dhyanchand sees promise in the current team. He highlights their "continuity," their unwavering support for each other, and their willingness to cover each other's shortcomings - crucial aspects in hockey. He praises their "effort" as their biggest strength.

"Today we are asking the question - Will the Indian team win the medals or not? And I say that after so many debacles, after going down so much, we are up. After 42 years, we won the second Olympic medal. This effort is the biggest strength of this team," he said.

Addressing Weaknesses: A Holistic Approach

Dhyanchand identifies areas for improvement - goalkeeping, corner conversion, midfield control, and the synergy between defence and offence. However, he emphasises that all four areas are currently strong.

"Our weak areas in hockey are goalkeeping, corner conversion, midfield, and combination between defence and forward. Attacking power plus goal-scoring quality. If I think about all these, All four areas are strong. Very strong. That's a different thing."

With a strong foundation and a nation's support behind them, the Indian hockey team is poised for a remarkable performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics.