"Hockey suffers from a middle class image"

Vidya Stokes, President, Indian Women's Hockey Federation, on what ails Indian hockey.

Is women's hockey given a stepmotherly treatment in India?
That's true. Not only is the public apathetic to women's sports, even the government and media are indifferent to female players.

Why is our women's hockey team not consistent?
Our women's team is at par with the best teams worldwide. It is managed by professionals, there is transparency in team selection, and to keep players' preparedness at its peak, we organise national championships at the junior, sub-junior and senior levels. As a result of these developments, we'll see more consistency in the team's performance.

How can the standard be raised?
Indian players need more practice sessions. For this, we need training infrastructure like astro turf. Proper diet should be available to players. Besides, we need money for aspects like accommodation of players.

Why has there been a 9-year gap since the last Indira Gandhi International Gold Cup tournament for women?
Because we didn't have adequate infrastructure in Delhi and publicity-conscious sponsors insisted on supporting the event only if it was held in Delhi.