Hockey in India
The relationship between hockey field and India is very old. Hockey was introduced in India during the British rule and the game became popular in our country very soon. When the Indian hockey team won its first Olympic gold medal in 1928, it marked the beginning of India’s golden era in hockey. Legends like Dhyan Chand played such magic hockey that the whole world was left watching. Hockey which used to be the pride of India, has been lost somewhere today. Whenever hockey is discussed in sports, the name of India is taken first. There was a time when hockey ruled everyone’s hearts.
Then what happened that the game which gave us so much fame on the world stage, has been lost somewhere today. We used to dominate the Olympic podium, but today we have to struggle a lot to bring hockey to that level.
Between 1928 and 1980, India has won a total of 8 gold medals, 1 silver medal and 2 bronze medals in the Olympics – “a record that makes every Indian proud”.
At that time, there was a craze for hockey everywhere, from schools to army units.
Field hockey in india
Field hockey in India is played by the men’s national team and the women’s national team at the international level. Some Popular hockey fields in India is…
Who invented hockey in india
Hockey was introduced to India by the British and Indian players made hockey their own. But, hockey got its own identity in India when legends like Major Dhyan Chand showcased their skills to the game on the global stage. Dhyan Chand, also known as “The Wizard”, made hockey an art form.
Dhyan Chand won gold medals for India in many Olympics from 1926 to 1949. Dhyan Chand is also known as the magician of hockey.
Hockey may have been brought to India by the British but it is Indian players who gave it recognition.
ICE hockey in india
IHAI (Ice Hockey Association of India) was formed in 2002. Every year an Ice Hockey Championship is held in the Ladakh region, which motivates the local youth a lot. Both Indian men’s and women’s teams have participated in international tournaments in the IIHF (International Ice Hockey Federation) Challenge Cup of Asia.
Facilities in ice hockey are quite limited, there is a lot of problem regarding funding and equipment. Players often travel for training and tournaments with their own money.
Famous Players of hockey in india
India has given many legendary players to the hockey world, who not only brought glory to the country but also gave a different level to this game. Here is a brief information about some of the most famous Indian hockey players:
Major Dhyan Chand
His birthday is celebrated every year as National Sports Day.
Born : 29 August 1905, Prayagraj
Died : 3 December 1979 (age 74 years)
Awards : Padma Bhushan
Balbir Singh Sr.
Record for most goals in an Olympic final
Born : 31 December 1923, Haripur Khalsa
Died : 25 May 2020 (age 96 years)
Dhanraj Pillay
His nickname is “Toofan” for his speed when he played for the Indian team
Born : 16 July 1968 (age 56 years), Khadki
Awards : Arjuna Award for Hockey, Padma Shri
Sardar Singh
his famous for a former Indian men’s hockey team captain
Born : Born: 15 July 1986 (age 38 years), Rania
Awards : Padma Shri, Arjuna Award for Hockey, Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award for Hockey
Rani Rampal
Rani Rampal one of the best women hockey players in the world.
Born : 4 December 1994 (age 30 years), Shahabad
Awards : Padma Shri, Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award for Hockey
PR Sreejesh
one of India’s most celebrated hockey players
Born : 8 May 1988 (age 36 years), Kizhakkambalam
Awards: Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, Arjuna Award for Hockey, Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award for Hockey
Udham Singh
Born : 4 August 1928, Sansarpur, Jalandhar
Died : 23 March 2000 (age 71 years), Sansarpur, Jalandhar
Awards : Arjuna Award for Hockey
Harmanpreet Singh
His exploits in Paris 2024 justly earned him the tag of sarpanch.
Born : 6 January 1996 (age 29 years), Amritsar
Awards : Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award for Hockey, Arjuna Award for Hockey
Who is Known as the magician of hockey in india
Major Dhyan Chand is known as the “Magician of Hockey”. Dhyan Chand had such amazing ball control and dribbling skills that it seemed as if the ball had stuck to his hockey stick. Opponents were astonished to see his game. He won three Olympic gold medals for India (1928, 1932, and 1936). In the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics, India scored 24 goals and the opponents were able to score only 1 goal.
His presence on the field was so commanding that it seemed as if he controlled the whole game at his own pace. His game was so smooth that he earned the nickname “Magician of Hockey”.
International competitions
- Senior Teams
Olympic Games
M: Gold medal (1928, 1932, 1936, 1948, 1952, 1956, 1964, 1980)
W: 4th (1980, 2020)
World Cup
M: (1975)
W: 4th (1974)
Pro League
M: Bronze medal (2021-2022)
W: Bronze medal (2021-2022)
Commonwealth Games
M: Silver medal (2010, 2014, 2022)
W: Gold medal (2002)
Asian Games
M: Gold medal (1966, 1998, 2014, 2022)
W: Gold medal (1982)
Asia Cup
M: (2003, 2007, 2017)
W: (2004, 2017)
Asian Champions Trophy
M: (2011, 2016, 2018, 2023, 2024)
W: (2016, 2023, 2024)
South Asian Games
M: Gold medal (1995)
W: Gold medal (2016)
World League
M: Bronze medal (2014-2015, 2016-2017)
Hockey Series
M: Gold medal (2018-2019)
W: Gold medal (2018-2019)
Champions Trophy
M: Silver medal (2016, 2018)
Hockey Champions Challenge
M: Gold medal (2001)
W: Bronze medal (2002)
Sultan Azlan Shah Cup
M: (1985, 1991, 1995, 2009, 2010)
Afro-Asian Games
M: Gold medal (2003)
W: Gold medal (2003)
Western Asiatic Games
M: Gold medal (1934)
Nations Cup
W: (2022)
- Junior Teams
Youth Olympic Games
M: Silver medal (2018)
W: Silver medal (2018)
World Cup
M: (2001, 2016)
W: Bronze medal (2013)
Asia Cup
M: (2004, 2008, 2015, 2023, 2024)
W: (2023, 2024)
Sultan of Johor Cup
M: (2013, 2014, 2022)
