With the International Hockey Federation (FIH) World Cup over and the IPL underway, we find out how much the hockey trophy weighs and why IPL victors can fashion a few neckpieces from their prize
With the International Hockey Federation (FIH) World Cup over and the IPL underway, we find out how much the hockey trophy weighs and why IPL victors can fashion a few neckpieces from their prizeu00a0
Diamonds are a cricketer's best friend
'Extravagant' doesn't quite cut it when you're looking for words to describe the Indian Premier League trophy, designed by ORRA. And if you have to ask why, you were probably on a distant galaxy, because this 2554-diamond-studded prize was almost as eye-catching as the cheerleaders in their lycra minis. And what's more -- about 5,500 precious stones are studded in approximately 690 gms of gold. We're no jewellery experts, but that seems like enough stash for a few generations of large families.
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Rubies are studded to geographically indicate the locations the various teams hail from.
We have proof now that Shane Warne and Adam Gilchrist have strong arms and shoulders. How else would these two winning captains of the Rajasthan Royals and Deccan Chargers that won IPL 1 and 2 respectively, have been able to lift this five-kilo baby? On second thought, that's probably why the team crowds the trophy and then insists on lifting it up together! It took about three months of intensive labour by a team of three designers at ORRA and two karigars to get this trophy ready.
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The intricately carved hockey world cup trophy |
The Midas touch
It may be blood, sweat and tears on the field, but off it, sportsmen deserve the best. Which is probably why the hockey world cup uses silver, gold and ivory in its trophy. Designed by Bashir Moojid of the Pakistani army (how's that for Indo-Pak peace?), the trophy was formally handed to FIH President Rene Frank by HE Masood, the Pakistani Ambassador to Belgium on March 27, 1971.
It consists of a silver cup with an intricate floral design, surmounted by a globe in silver and gold, placed on a high-blade base inlaid with ivory. On the peak is a hockey stick and ball.
Arjen Meijer, Communications Manager, FIH, has this to say about the trophy: "It symbolises world supremacy in hockey -- hence the hockey stick and ball on top of the globe. The huge size of the globe signifies the importance of the event and its significance because it's held once every four years. The use of gold and the sheer size of the trophy are a mark of how prestigious this event is."
Size certainly seems to matter in the sporting world, which is probably why this trophy is close to a staggering 12 kilos. Is that why a hockey squad has 16 players, five of whom can stand in as substitutes?
Punit Jagasia, Partner, Redlion and COO, Publicis Modem
"I think the IPL trophy is too loud.
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It lacks any real aesthetic senibility.
I was quite disappointed when I first saw it.
Personally, my favourite trophies are the shields they hand out at Wimbledon and the English Premier League (EPL). The Wimbledon shields have a real history to them, with the names of past winners etched on them, and they are high on craftsmanship too. They are engraved with beautiful typography and look really classy and cool at the same time. How you present the trophy is almost as important as the trophy itself -- which is why the EPL trophy also scores. It's large, which denotes the significance and importance of the victory, and it's decorated on both sides with ribbons that match the decorations and confetti all around. That also makes a huge difference. The little cups that you get at school events are also quite cute -- they signify victory without going over the top. I think the key is to be stylish without concentrating too much on the glitz."
Arzan Khambatta, sculptor and architect
"Honestly, I find most trophies, whether sporting or otherwise, quite mundane. They are usually garish and in desperate need of subtlety. My favourite sporting trophy is the football world cup trophy. It's as good as a sculpture, and you have to go close to realise that there are actually people with their arms holding up the globe. Size-wise too, it's perfect. I think trophy designing needs to be commissioned to artists and designers -- people with aesthetic sensibilities. It's art, after all."
The costliest win
The Doncaster Cup won by Vedette in England in 1858 is probably the most expensive sporting trophy. The 150 year-old trophy is valued at around $250,000 and is today offered as a perpetual trophy by the Australian Jockey Club for the Group Three Sir Frank Packer Plate
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