New Delhi [India], September 18 (ANI): 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 is able to culminate in particular celebrations on November 7 this 12 months.
While the precise particulars of the celebrations can be revealed sooner or later, 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 likewise the utmost variety of medals in any self-discipline gained by India on the Olympics, as per a press launch from Hockey India.
Speaking in regards to the significance of hockey contribution that outlined the nation’s immense potential on a world stage even earlier than Independence, Gurbux Singh, the oldest dwelling legend of the game who has gained Olympic Gold for India within the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, expressed, ‘The first hockey event held in India was the Beighton Cup in 1895. The National Hockey Association was fashioned in 1925, and India gained the Olympic Gold in 1928, simply three years after the physique was established. From then on, India gained gold in 1932, 1936 and if the 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 subject 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. The 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 biggest moments in Indian historical past,’ Gurbux defined.
The legend additionally recollected how Ali Dara was flown in for the ultimate within the Berlin Olympics to strengthen the squad. ‘Germany (a membership aspect with most of their nationwide crew gamers) had crushed India in follow matches. When we have been pitted in opposition to them within the closing, Dara was flown in for that match. One should additionally perceive, again then the federation did not 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 crew to Germany through ship. They collected Rs 50,000, and in these days it was a really massive quantity.’
Adding to the emotions of Gurbux Singh, Dr Dilip Tirkey, a contemporary 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 influence the game has on the world stage. It is our endeavour to relive these golden days by means of the centenary celebrations deliberate in November, and right this moment marks the 50-day countdown.’
Most just lately, the lads’s Hockey World Cup made it to the FIH Hockey World Cup scheduled for subsequent 12 months, beating South Korea 4-1 within the closing of Men’s Asia Cup at Rajgir to realize a direct qualification. (ANI)