Suniel Shetty is upset over hockey not a national game

The website of Government of India has been showcasing hockey as India's National Game for donkey's years, but it took a mere child to unveil the truth behind the facade.

Ten-year-old Aishwarya Parashar asked the Prime Minister's Office through an RTI enquiry - when the Government of India had notified hockey as a national game. And SPS Tomar, Under Secretary, Union Ministry of Youth Affairs replied: "I haven't come across any official order or notification in the ministry saying that hockey is our National Game." This revelation has left many sports lovers seething. And Suniel Shetty, who's been ardently promoting the game, says that he is "simply appalled." TOI brings you more on this interaction...

Now that it's out in the open that hockey is not our National Game, your thoughts...
I am shocked! Right from our childhood, we were taught in school that hockey is our National Game. And now that I know differently, I'm upset because this game is very close to my heart.



Isn't it ironical that the government is still advertising hockey as our National Game, when such a status is not accorded to any of the games?
It's sad and quite ironical too! I have always believed that every sport, including hockey, has to be encouraged. If not hockey, at least one sport can be taken up by the government as the national game and it should be promoted in right and proper manner. Look at China, US, Russia and UK! These countries are going all out to promote sportsmen and sports, and that is resulting in medals in Olympics. At the end of the day, medals are associated with national pride!

As the brand ambassador of World Series Hockey, do you plan to take up cudgels to attain official status for hockey?
I am willing to take up any cause to promote a game, which will help the players earn decent bread. But, till the time the differences between Hockey India and Indian Hockey Federation are sorted out, nothing can be done. I feel there should be just one organisation looking after a sport like we have BCCI in cricket, which has done wonders for the players. At the end of the day, players have to survive too. Mere playing doesn't fill the empty stomach. But, that will happen only if politics is eliminated!

As a sports buff, what's your take on India's performance in Olympics, thus far?
I'm not happy at all! Being a country with such huge population and with our claims of world-class sports infrastructure, the medals that we have won are extremely disappointing! We have world class players like Vijay Kumar, Gagan Narang, Saina Nehwal and Joydeep Karmakar, but there are many more youngsters out there who can bring laurels for the nation. For that to happen, we have to give best facilities to every talented youngster. It also means that stadiums have to be used for sports and not for the conventions! It also means the disgraceful disputes and politicking that happened in tennis, involving players like Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes, must not be tolerated!