How safe is Hockey after Phil Hughes' tragic death...?

New Delhi: Speed thrills but kills….very true not only in the context of driving but now in sports also. The latest example is the tragic death of Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes who was hit on the head and succumbed to injuries a few days after. Mind you he was wearing a helmet, regular protection in cricket now days.After the introduction of astro turf Hockey has transformed from a game of silken skills to a game of ferocious speed. Though changing rules have made Hockey more popular in some other countries but at the same time it has become more dangerous as far as safety of the players is concerned.Australian Hockey player Lizzie Watkins, aged 24, died in 2012 after being hit on her head. There is similarity between Watkins' death and the passing of cricketer Phillip Hughes yet whereas Phillip was more unlikely to die the way he did, Lizzie was always vulnerable because you don't see Hockey players wearing any protection gears except Goalkeeper and some defenders when a penalty corner is taken.Safety in Hockey is finally being debated. A drag at penalty corner, a flick, scoop or a sweep could turn out to be fatal and career ender for a player if being hit hard.According to Ashok Kumar, former Indian Hockey player, "Hockey is a game of power, strength and speed and injuries take place in 99 % of the matches. Proper protective equipments along with amendment in sporting rules are needed.""Some of the strokes like drag and flick could be fatal", he added.Admitting Hockey is more dangerous than many of the other games, Zafar Iqbal, another legend and former India captain, said there is a need for the introduction of player friendly protection equipments.He said in today's game reverse shot could be deadly and players are already prone to serious injuries.Sandeep Singh, India's penalty corner specialist has a drag flick speed measured at 90mph.The International Hockey Federation (FIH) say grille helmets could cause injury if players came into contact.In hockey mostly goals are converted through the penalty corners. In a penalty corner, members of the attacking side line up on the edge of the-dangerous-D, while the defending team is allowed four players, plus the goalkeeper, on the goal-line. The ball is then pushed by an attacker from a position 10 yards wide of the goal. It could turn out to be the most unsafe and injury prone area for the player and their lives.Even during most chaotic situation in the ‘D' sweep and reverse sweep come into play with a very dangerous velocity that could prove fatal..In cricket where a batsman has the luxury of wearing all possible protection gears, Hockey, where a shot is taken just few feet away from a player, is still being played with all possible vulnerability. This is the high time when protection measures should be considered on urgent basis for the safety of Hockey players.