Ex-India Captain Ashok Kumar: Artistic Hockey Fades, Costly Astroturf Hinders Growth

• Former India captain Ashok Kumar states modern hockey is "power hockey," driven by physicality and expensive equipment, unlike the "artistic, wrist-based" style of the past.
• He highlights the high cost of playing, noting the necessity of astroturf facilities which are scarce, unlike cricket's accessibility.
• Kumar, a 1975 World Cup winner, urges state and Union governments to provide astroturf in every district to revive grassroots hockey.
• He emphasizes the role of administrators and stakeholders in preserving local clubs and tournaments, crucial for nurturing talent.
• Speaking at the Sangram Singh Hockey Cup, he stressed that small tournaments are vital for producing great players and preserving India's hockey heritage.

Why It Matters: High costs and lack of astroturf are killing artistic hockey; governments must invest in grassroots.