~ 100 years of Indian Hockey and being the one sport with most Olympic Gold medals for India requires main celebrations pan-India and a reminder for youthful era to grasp the game’s contribution to nationalism ~
New Delhi, 18th September 2025: Calling for Pan-India celebrations to mark the centenary of Indian hockey- a journey which started in 1925 when the primary nationwide sports activities physique was fashioned, Hockey India has launched the 50-day countdown which can culminate into particular celebrations on seventh November 2025.
Whereas the precise particulars of the celebrations will likely be revealed in the end, Hockey India delved into the game’s unbelievable historical past underlined by the eight Olympic Gold medals – most gained by any nation within the sport until date and in addition the utmost variety of medals in any self-discipline gained by India on the Olympics.
Talking in regards to the significance of hockey contribution that outlined the nation’s immense potential on a worldwide stage even earlier than Independence, Gurbux Singh.- the oldest residing legend of the game who has gained Olympic Gold for India in 1964 Tokyo Olympics expressed, “The primary hockey match held in India was the Beighton Cup in 1895. The Nationwide Hockey Affiliation was fashioned in 1925 and India gained the Olympic Gold in 1928, solely in three years of forming the physique. From then on, India gained gold in 1932, 1936 and if the Video games was held in 1940 and 1944 if not for WWII, we’d have gained two extra gold medals. It was the Dhyanchand period and we completely dominated the world.”
Gurbux additionally identified that Britain didn’t discipline a hockey crew till 1948 for the worry of, ‘dropping to India’. “Hockey not solely contributed to India’s sporting historical past but in addition to nationalism. The crew’s efficiency was necessary to usher in a way of oneness as a nation. British fielded a hockey crew solely in 1948 as a result of they feared dropping to India once they dominated us. And to beat them in their very own yard after we gained Independence was one of many best moments in Indian historical past,” Gurbux defined.
The legend additionally recollected how Ali Dara was flown in for the ultimate in Berlin Olympics to strengthen the squad. “Germany (a membership facet with most of their nationwide crew gamers) had overwhelmed India in apply matches. After we had been pitted towards them within the last, Dara was flown in for that match. One should additionally perceive, again then the federation didn’t have the cash. So, to play the Olympics in Germany, about 35 folks together with members of royal households contributed from Rs 100 to Rs 500 every from throughout states like Bengal, Punjab, Bhopal, Mumbai and so forth to ship the crew to Germany by way of ship. They collected Rs 50,000 and in these days it was a really massive quantity.”
Including to the feelings of Gurbux Singh, Dr Dilip Tirkey, fashionable hockey legend who heads Hockey India as President expressed, “The youthful generations should know and be taught from the historical past of our sport and the numerous influence the game has on the world stage. It’s our endeavour to relive these golden days via the centenary celebrations deliberate in November and at this time marks the 50-day countdown.”
