Hockey in India
The national sport of the country, Hockey, has been an integral part of the India’s sporting heritage for several decades. India hogged international headlines when the popularity of the game surged in the mid-20th century in India, with the country clinching six consecutive Olympic gold medals from 1928 to 1956. However, the glory days faded over time, and the sport faced a decline in recent years.

Hockey rose like a Phoenix and bounced back. The revival of the game had been difficult but the positive policies and significant efforts of the government brought it back to the forefront. Besides bringing the great sport back to fan’s heart and mind, it also encouraged the youth to opt for it as a career option.

Punjab’s substantial Contributions to Indian Hockey
Punjab has always been instrumental in producing world-class players making it a powerhouse in Indian hockey. Backed by a rich sporting history and sporting culture, coupled with strong infrastructure at the grassroots level, Punjab has raised numerous hockey talents. Punjab made immense contribution to the Indian National Hockey team, with several legendary players hailing from different parts of the state.

Role of the Punjab Government in Reviving Hockey
Recognizing the importance of promoting sports to channelize the focus and energy of the youth of the state in a positive direction, and to preserve Punjab’s rich legacy in Hockey, the Punjab government drafted Sports policies to encourage sportspersons and took several significant steps to revive the sport. The government invested heavily in boosting sports infrastructure in the state which includes the construction of sports complexes, modern hockey stadiums and ultramodern training facilities. In addition to this, numerous sports development programs were launched from time to time to encourage talented youth and budding sportspersons and provide them with all the necessary support to pursue a career in sports.

Encouraging the youth
The state government conceptualized and launched numerous initiatives to attract young players and nurture them to represent the state on national and international platforms besides ensuring the continued growth of Hockey in Punjab. Some of the initiatives to encourage sportspersons includes:

• Talent Recognition Programs: Sports events and sports talent contests are conducted regularly to scout sports talent in young age besides nurturing and promoting promising young Hockey players.

• Training programs: Skilled and experienced coaches and trainers are assigned duties to impart essential skills to aspiring players and enhance their techniques.

• Scholarships: Talented players are offered Financial assistance to assist them pursue a career in sports.

• Exposure and Prospects: Young players are given ample opportunities to participate and represent in various national and international championships.

Rewarding Excellence: Prize Money and Job Opportunities
To encourage players to excel in their chosen sport, the Punjab government made several efforts to motivate players by giving prize money and providing jobs. As a recognition to the significant contribution to the state, high-performing Players from Punjab have been financially rewarded for their remarkable feats on the national and international platforms, besides offering government jobs.

Major Titles Won
Punjab has a victorious history in Hockey. Teams from Punjab won numerous prestigious titles, both on the domestic and international level. Teams from Punjab won multiple National Hockey Championships, a feat that showcases Punjab’s dominance in the sport at the national level. Players from Punjab have also excelled in several international competitions, and won several medals and titles for the country at the international level.

The revival of hockey in Punjab is a testimony to the fact that the state government is committed to ensuring the development and progress of Hockey in Punjab. Through its various initiatives, the Punjab government has created an encouraging atmosphere for young players to flourish and contribute to India’s sporting glory. With Hockey continuously gaining momentum on the national and international stage, Punjab is poised to once again become a hockey powerhouse, carrying forward its rich sports legacy and inspire the future generations to keep the country flag high.