New Delhi: Hockey may be the country's national sport but for India to revive its past glory, the game must be institutionalised to create "proper environment" for improvement, feels International Hockey Federation's Director of Coaching Tayyab Ikram.
Ikram said the FIH considers India as a very important destination for the game but the nation can't rise to the top again until and unless there is a structured set up in place.
"Hockey is not an institution in India. All the players, coaches, umpires and administrators should be under one system. Until and unless there is an institution, the game cannot be well equipped," Ikram told reporters.
"In India the game needs a proper environment and time. Look at other top countries like Germany, the Netherlands and Australia, they have a proper system in place, where the top caliber coaches are working in top environments," he said.
"We have discussed India many a times and are still discussing India but we couldn't find a solution. We have to make hockey an institution in India," he added.
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 11:15