In the last 23 years, since the gold medal at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, Indian hockey has taken us all on a rollercoaster ride, often making fools out of pundits and pundits out of fools. Yet, despite the many ups and downs, the very core of the sport in which this country once ruled the world has remained unshaken. Hockey in India has shown itself to be a great survivor. The sport has weathered the worst of administrators, coaches, virtual penury, media apathy and a system that is all but invisible, if not totally non-existent. Also, in a country which lends an overwhelming patronage to cricket, hockey has endured the image of being a poor cousin, in a manner that is more than just figurative. The fact is, hockey, jokingly referred to as the national sport, has roots as deep as cricket itself, a tradition as strong, a record far more glorious, a talent base as big. This country has consistently been among the top six in the world. If today, stones are being cast at cricket for being the strangler of other sports in India, such accusations only reflect ignorance and blind jealousy for a sport that is far better governed, dressed up and marketed.