New Delhi [India], October 6 (ANI): With lower than 100 days to go for the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup, the winner of three males’s hockey world cup medals and retired Brigadier Harcharan Singh revealed that the sight of the celebrated trophy motivated them to do higher throughout the 1975 version of the event, which they finally received.
Winner of three Men’s Hockey World Cup medals Retired Brigadier Harcharan Singh kicks off Hockey India’s Flashback Series – World Cup Special with recollections from India’s outing in 1971, 1973 and 1975.
Reminiscing these glory years, Harcharan Singh lit up with satisfaction and pleasure when he vividly recounted the Indian Team’s marketing campaign in 1975 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He stated, “We got goosebumps when we first saw the trophy which was displayed in the team hotel and we thought that this has eluded us in the last two World Cups, and that it must not be the case again this time in 1975. We were extremely determined and we knew we had to do well this time.”The ace left-sided attacker had been essential in India’s run-in, scoring the essential winner in extra-time towards Malaysia within the Semi-Final. He additionally began off the transfer for the winner within the Final in 1975, when India beat arch-rivals Pakistan by a purpose. Harcharan is among the many 4 gamers to have featured within the first three editions of the World Cup.
“We were on top of the world after winning the first Gold medal at a World Cup for India. When I think back, I feel very happy and satisfied with what we achieved.””As a sportsman, I cannot explain to you the kind of satisfaction, the thrill, the goosebumps, you feel when you climb the podium. We could not believe we were finally holding the glittering trophy which we all wanted our hands on at the start of the tournament when it was on display at our hotel foyer,” acknowledged the hockey nice who made his worldwide debut towards Kenya in a check collection performed at house in Amritsar in 1969.
Harcharan was additionally a part of the Indian Men’s Hockey Team that received the Bronze medal on the 1972 Munich Olympics, and famous that in his taking part in days, video games towards neighbours and arch-rivals Pakistan have been emotionally charged contests. India misplaced towards Pakistan in 1971 however defeated them in 1973 (Semi-Final) and 1975 (Final).
“Emotions do rise from both sides and it was like a mini-battle. This was the time just after the 1971 war, and having won against Pakistan in 1973 and 1975, it felt like we had done something great for our country. It was a big moment of joy and great satisfaction for us, having won in style for our motherland.”Since 1975, the Indian Men’s Hockey Team are but to win a medal. And the previous ace believes, that the present group has the wherewithal to upset the applecart.
“This is a very crucial time for Indian hockey if they want to achieve great things. Playing at home, in front of your own fans at the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar-Rourkela 2023, it is a great opportunity. This present team has improved tremendously and they have got the killer’s instinct, and they are on the up after the Tokyo Olympics.””My best wishes are always with the Indian Men’s Hockey Team and I hope they remain positive at all times and hopefully they can win the World Cup,” he signed off.
The Indian Men’s Hockey Team will tackle Spain of their first match of the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 Bhubaneswar-Rourkela on the newly-built Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium in Rourkela on 13 January 2023.
The World Cup will proceed till January 29, with 4 swimming pools of 4 groups battling it out for the Championship trophy. India is positioned in pool D together with Spain, England and Wales. Currently fifth within the hockey rankings, Graham Reid-coached India is the top-ranked facet among the many 4 groups in Pool D. (ANI)