Why Indian hockey teams' route to qualify for 2020 Tokyo Olympics is tricky after Asian Games heartbreak

Anish Anand


Last time when the Indian men's team didn't qualify for the Olympics — 2008 Beijing Games — newspapers and fans termed it national shame. Image courtesy: Hockey India

When it comes to hockey, there is nothing bigger than the Olympics and the World Cup. A case can also be made that in terms of prestige value, Olympics even overtakes the World Cup. The first time hockey featured at the Summer Olympics was back in 1908. Since 1928, the sport has been a regular feature at the Olympics. Qualifying for the Olympics, and then winning a medal at the Games, is the ultimate dream for all hockey-playing countries.