Hockey India secretary Narinder Batra apologises for India’s early World Cup exit

India’s disappointing exit from the 10^th Hero FIH Junior Men’s World Cup hockey tournament left a pall of despondency among hockey fans. Hockey India – which runs the sport in the country – has issued public apology over the national’s league phase ouster.

Of course, India’s failure to qualify for the quarterfinals is hard to swallow, but what must be appreciated here is how HI has taken the lead in apologizing to the hockey lovers of the country and not singling out players and coaches for the debacle.

Hockey India Secretary General Narinder Batra has issued a statement saying that he owns moral “responsibility” for the country’s early ouster and apologised to the fans for letting them down.

India crashed out of the quarterfinal race of the ongoing World Cup after being held 3-3 by Korea in a must-win Pool C match at the floodlit Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, here last night. The result meant that both India and Korea finished their pool engagements with four points apiece which was not adequate enough for the home team to sail through.

The draw, however, was more than enough for the Koreans to progress to the knock-out stage along with pool toppers Netherlands as they have a better goal difference than the Indians.