~ 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 shaped, 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 shall be revealed in the end, Hockey India delved into the game’s unimaginable 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 concerning the significance of hockey contribution that outlined the nation’s immense potential on a world 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 shaped 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 might have gained two extra gold medals. It was the Dhyanchand period and we completely dominated the world.”
Gurbux additionally identified that Britain didn’t area a hockey group till 1948 for the worry of, ‘dropping to India’. “Hockey not solely contributed to India’s sporting historical past but additionally to nationalism. The group’s efficiency was essential to herald a way of oneness as a nation. British fielded a hockey group 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 biggest 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 group gamers) had crushed India in observe matches. Once we have 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 many others to ship the group to Germany by way of ship. They collected Rs 50,000 and in these days it was a really huge quantity.”
Including to the feelings of Gurbux Singh, Dr Dilip Tirkey, trendy hockey legend who heads Hockey India as President expressed, “The youthful generations should know and study from the historical past of our sport and the numerous affect the game has on the world stage. It’s our endeavour to relive these golden days by means of the centenary celebrations deliberate in November and right now marks the 50-day countdown.”
