Disparity in infrastructure and funding
As the popularity of cricket continues to grow in India, funding and infrastructure development follow. As such, if a stadium is to be built, it is more likely to be a cricket stadium than a hockey pitch or a football pitch, which limits the opportunities for hockey players to develop their skills.
Furthermore, cricket is seen as a more prestigious sport than hockey as the best Indian players, with their exorbitant salaries and multiple endorsement deals, showcase that there is much more money to be made in cricket. Hockey players, on the other hand, despite playing at the national and international level, just like their cricketing counterparts, have to work much harder to earn a much more modest wage.
Therefore, to increase interest in hockey, steps have to be taken at the grassroots level. This includes building new stadiums all over the country, bringing in the top coaches and training top Indian talent, and providing financial assistance to young athletes, to name a few.
