As a member of the gold medal-winning team in the 1980 Moscow Olympics, Somaya also had the honour of captaining India at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
As India\u2019s hockey community gathers to mark 100 years of the sport\u2019s formal organisation in the country, Somaya sees this milestone not just as a celebration of medals and victories but also as an acknowledgement of the numerous individuals and institutions that have supported the game. For him, the centenary honours both the unsung contributors who established Indian hockey\u2019s foundation and the players who brought the tricolour to the international stage glory.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWhile we rightly celebrate the players who brought glory to the nation, I would dedicate these hundred years to the people behind the scenes,\u201d said Somaya, as quoted by Hockey India. \u201cFrom employers such as the Indian Railways, Armed Forces, Police, Banks, and Petroleum companies to fans, who have stood by the game through every high and low \u2014 have all helped create the ecosystem that sustains Indian hockey and they surely deserve equal credit.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Somaya made his debut during a period when hockey was shifting from natural grass to artificial turf, marking one of the most significant changes in the sport's modern development. \u201cI had never seen AstroTurf before the Moscow Olympics. We had to adapt instantly to a completely new surface that changed the pace and tactics of the game. Over time, Indian hockey learned to evolve \u2014 shifting focus from individual brilliance to collective structure and strategy.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Further reflecting on his three Olympic appearances, Somaya recalled, \u201cPlaying in three Olympics was both an honour and a test of commitment. I didn\u2019t have much competition for the position I played \u2014 I used to play as right half \u2014 but it took a lot of dedication and discipline. The support I received from people back home and my friends really pushed me to do well. My employers were also very supportive as they gave me the freedom to practise as much as I wanted. In those days, there wasn\u2019t any real financial benefit in playing hockey \u2014 it was pure love for the sport that kept us going. That love still drives me today, even as I continue to follow the game as a keen spectator.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Somaya considers the last 15 years to be among the most transformative in Indian hockey\u2019s history. \u201cWe are now playing a faster, more structured brand of hockey. The presence of world-class coaches, scientific training, and strong academies in states like Punjab, Odisha, and Haryana have completely changed the face of the sport,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Praising the current Indian men\u2019s and women\u2019s teams, Somaya added, \u201cThe professionalism, fitness, and scientific approach of today\u2019s players \u2014 from nutrition and recovery to tactical preparation \u2014 are world-class. The Tokyo Olympic bronze was not just a medal; it symbolised the resurgence of Indian hockey. This is a golden generation in every sense.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Somaya considers the last 15 years to be among the most transformative in Indian hockey\u2019s history. \u201cWe are now playing a faster, more structured brand of hockey. The presence of world-class coaches, scientific training, and strong academies in states like Punjab, Odisha, and Haryana have completely changed the face of the sport,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
As Indian hockey celebrates a hundred years, Somaya\u2019s reflections evoke both fond memories of the past and hope for what lies ahead. \u201cThis centenary is not just about celebrating the champions who wore the India jersey, but it\u2019s a tribute to every unseen contributor \u2014 administrators, employers, coaches, and fans \u2014 who have kept the spirit of Indian hockey alive for a hundred years,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\r\n\r\n