Hockey
'Chennai crowd will make India v Pakistan memorable'- Hockey legend V. Baskaran
Former captain V. Baskaran believes that the Chennai crowd will make the India-Pakistan clash more memorable in the Asian Champions Trophy.
With Hockey returning to Chennai after 16 years, former Indian hockey captain and 1980 Olympics gold medalist, Vasudevan Baskaran took a trip down to memory lane.
Expressing his delight about the prestigious Hero Asian Champions Trophy Chennai 2023 being hosted in his hometown, Baskaran said, “I and a lot of veterans in Chennai were all starved of a major international tournament. That made most of the players start Masters Hockey which usually gets about 5000 spectators. One can imagine the turnout for international matches with stars of Indian hockey."
Chennai last hosted an international hockey event in 2007 when the prestigious Asia Cup was held and it saw thrilling matches that have left a lasting impact on fans.
Nostalgic about India’s successful outing in 2007, Baskaran said, “In 2007, Asia Cup was played here and we beat Korea 7-2 in the final to lift the trophy. As usual, a crowd of around 10,000 fans attended the match in the stadium. It was raining by half-time during the Final but no one left the stadium. I can't forget those moments."
The upcoming Hero Asian Champions Trophy has rekindled the passion for hockey in Chennai. Bhaskaran shared his excitement about the event being held at Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium, which he fondly referred to as “Eden Gardens of Chennai" as fans turn out in large numbers in the stadium even to witness even local games.
"In normal league matches, about 5,000 fans are present in the stadium. So that is the interest and fan following in Hockey in Chennai," Baskaran said.
Baskaran expressed his appreciation for the decision to host the tournament in his hometown, saying, "I think it's very right on Hockey India to give this event to Chennai. Egmore Stadium is very close to my heart. I used to play here as a 17-year-old and back then it was on gravel and then it was developed in a grass stadium. I must have played about 5000 matches here. Although by the time an Astroturf was laid here, I had quit playing hockey but I have some very fond memories as a Coach."
The India-Pakistan league match is a highly anticipated encounter in the upcoming tournament, sure to draw a full house. “I think that's going to be a very, very vital match. The ground will be full, I know,” Baskaran said.
"I remember, in 1998, when I was a coach, the last match played with India-Pakistan was at the same ground. We could gather a crowd of about 11,000 fans. Two extra galleries were made. An entire Egmore roundabout was blocked for half a day," he added.
Talking about the importance of the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Chennai 2023, Baskaran said, “The importance of this tournament is very, very high. Also, it will serve as a precursor to the all-important Asian Games to be played in China in September.”