ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
FIH World Cup Hockey: Sticks Test has India worried
Nowadays, stick technology, like the ball, has advanced so much that it has grown beyond fibre, carbon and graphite, compared to the traditional stick made from mulberry.
-
Prabhjot Paul Singh - Fri, 14, Aug 2026
- 16:23 EDT
- 63
FILE PHOTO: FIH Hockey Junior Women’s World Cup in Santiago. / International Hockey federation
Deep Defender and Drag Flicker must have been worried, as the hockey sticks he has brought here for use in the FIH World Cup starting at Wagener Stadium in Amsterdam did not meet the approval of the Technical Committee of the FIH.
Indian players had their sticks checked at the Wagener Stadium this afternoon. While all other players, including skipper Harmanpreet Singh, former captain Manpreet Singh, ace striker Mandeep Singh and Dilpreet Singh, got their sticks cleared, Jugraj Singh went in before the technical staff a couple of times, but his sticks failed to clear the norms.
Jugraj will have to get his additional or spare sticks cleared in time for the opening game.
Traditionally, hockey sticks were cleared through a "ring test", as the main blade had to clear the "ring". But with the passage of time, the composition, the shape and the material of a modern hockey stick have changed significantly. It is a tool that can fire the ball with terrific speed. Like Prithipal Singh, Surjit Singh, Paul Litjens, Carsten Fischer, Munir Dar and others used to play with heavy sticks, weighing 21 to 27 ounces.
Nowadays, stick technology, like the ball, has advanced so much that it has grown beyond fibre, carbon and graphite, compared to the traditional stick made from mulberry.
The team management was confident that Jugraj Singh would get his sticks approved in time for the game against Wales.
Earlier generation of penalty corner hitters
After two matches in the women’s section – Australia vs Japan and Germany vs Scotland – India will take on Wales in the first match of the men’s section at Wagener Stadium.
Jugraj Singh is one of the key players in India’s special group of drag flickers led by skipper Harmanpreet Singh.
After the sticks test, the Indian team had a training session at an adjacent practice pitch. Australian women also had their training session in the afternoon.
All players looked fit and in great spirits.
Since India is a hockey nation, all eyes will be on the men's team as it starts its campaign on the country’s Independence Day on August 16, and the women do it a day later.
The weather in Europe in general and Amsterdam in particular is a little hot for this time of the year. In fact, many parts of Europe are experiencing one of the hottest summers. The hot weather is being blamed for wildfires that have been making panic-stricken Europeans move to safer havens.
How the weather will impact the performance of players will remain a debatable issue as the games scheduled for early afternoon may bear the maximum brunt.
After India plays Wales, another Asian team, Malaysia, will also play its first match. It will take on defending champions Germany.
While every match in the World Cup is crucial, the game of the event, without any doubt, will be between arch-rivals and neighbours – India and Pakistan – on August 19.
Pakistan is the most successful nation in men's Hockey World Cup history, having won four titles – in 1971, 1978, 1982 and 1994.
The Netherlands, Australia and Germany have won three World Cups each.
India, meanwhile, has found success harder to come by at the World Cup despite being the record eight-time Olympic hockey champion.
India has won the World Cup only once, with its solitary triumph coming in Kuala Lumpur in 1975 under the captaincy of Ajit Pal Singh. The team was coached by Gurcharan Singh Bodhi and managed by the legendary Balbir Singh Senior.
India beat Pakistan 2-1 in the 1975 final, with Ashok Kumar, the son of Indian hockey wizard Dhyan Chand, scoring the winning goal after defender Surjit Singh had neutralised the earlier lead taken by Pakistan.
Germany are the reigning men’s FIH World Cup champions, having clinched the 2023 edition held in Odisha, India.
Indian women, led by Salima Tete, will launch their campaign in a game against their continent rivals, China, on August 16.
Discover more at New India Abroad.
Leave A Comment
Related
1.jpg)
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
E Paper
Video
Comments
Start the conversation
Become a member of New India Abroad to start commenting.
Sign Up Now
Already have an account? Login