Play is an instinctive activity. All the living creatures display this activity. Games are organized forms of play. It is a famous saying:
‘All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy’.
They are best form of exercise. There are two kinds of game:
- Indoor games
- out door games.
The former is played inside in halls or under sheds. Squash, Ping-pong, Badminton, Chess, and Carom are some indoor games. Outdoor games are played on open grounds and in the open air. Hockey, cricket, football and volleyball are outdoor games. They are the best source of exercise. They also help in the scheme to keep-fit. They are foreign games.
My favorite game is Hockey. Hockey is an international game. It can be called our national game. Pakistan Hockey team is one of the best in the world. Our hockey players have won great laurels in the field of Hockey. At one time we had the honor of being World Champion in Olympics, Asian champions and holder of the little of PIA hockey championship.
Hockey is a healthy game. It has become proverbial to say: cricket by chance and tennis by dance, football by prowess and hockey by practice. I am a good hockey player. I have had the honor of being in the first-elevens in my school as well as college.
In Hockey, there are two teams, each consisting of eleven players. The game is played with hockey sticks and white balls. Each team consists of a goalkeeper (custodian), two fullbacks, three halves – right, center and left, and five forwards center-forward, right and left ins and right and left outs. There are two referees who refer the game and see that the game is being played according to the rules and in right spirit. He can penalize a player for playing foul or rough; he can suspend or turn out after showing the red card. [the_ad id=”17141″]
The Hockey ground measures 100 x 50 yards. There is a center line and twenty-five lines in white. In the middle of each smaller side of the rectangular field, stand the goal posts enclosed by ten yards rings. The ring is the striking limit for scoring the goals. Any deliberate foul within the ring results in a plenty stroke; for other, fouls plenty corner or long Corner is awarded by the referees. There are two goal judges who confirm the right goals. For other fouls or crossing the sidelines of the ball, free hits are awarded against the erring team.
The game starts with center bully after the whistle by the referees who are constantly moving up and down. If the ball crosses the goal line, a free hit is given to the side. When a goal is scored, the referee gives a signal with a long blow of the whistle. After each goal the game is resumed with centered bully.
The game starts after a toss of a coin. The captain winning the toss, chooses the half of the field. The game is of 70 minutes duration. After thirty-five minutes, ten minutes half-time in given. After the half time, the teams have to change their sides. The team scoring the highest number of goals wins the match. In case of a draw, extra twenty minutes are given to take a lead. If still there is a deadlock, the match is decided by means of plenty of strokes.
Hockey is a healthy and interesting game. It is a brisk and active game. Thousands of hockey fans turn up to witness hockey matches. Generally, Olympic and championship matches are played on ostro-turf.
The game teaches sportsman spirit and teamwork. It teaches obedience to rules and laws. It fosters a sense of quick decisions and prompt action. Above all it inculcates a sense of discipline. All these qualities make one good citizen.
