Indian Hockey Celebrates 100 Years with Majestic Ceremony

New Delhi, November 7 (PTI): The illustrious Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium became the epicenter of celebrations on Friday as Indian hockey marked an extraordinary 100-year journey, with legends of the sport such as Olympic gold medallists Gurbux Singh and Aslam Sher Khan honoring the momentous occasion.

To commemorate this milestone, Hockey India paid tribute to some of the most iconic figures of Indian hockey for their enduring contributions and the profound inspiration they provided to successive generations of players. Honorees included esteemed personalities like Gurbux Singh, Aslam Sher Khan, Harbinder Singh, Ajith Pal Singh, Ashok Kumar, B P Govinda, Zafar Iqbal, Brigadier Harcharan Singh, Vineet Kumar, Mir Ranjan Negi, Romeo James, Asunta Lakra, and Subhadra Pradhan.

Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, present at the event alongside Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Thiru Udhayanidhi Stalin, hailed the sport’s rich legacy and its intrinsic association with India's sporting dignity.

"The sport has experienced many phases, and it was through hockey at the Olympics that we demonstrated to the world India's potential in sports. We have never looked back since," stated Mandaviya. "With its storied history, Indian hockey is once again on the rise and inching closer to another Olympic medal."

The centenary celebrations kicked off with an exhibition match between the Sports Minister’s XI, led by Mandaviya himself, and the Hockey India XI, captained by Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey. This amicable yet competitive game set an exhilarating tone for the day’s events.

The Sports Minister's XI triumphed with a 3-1 victory, marked by goals from Beauty Dungdung, Salima Tete, and Krishna Pathak, while Manpreet Singh scored the singular goal for the Hockey India XI. The match showcased a combination of players from both the men's and women's national teams.

Complementing the celebrations was the release of a commemorative book, "100 Years of Indian Hockey," detailing the sport's centennial saga of successes, hurdles, and renewal. A special photographic exhibition was also organized, displaying rare archival images, Olympic moments, and memorabilia tracing the evolution of Indian hockey from its golden inception at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics to its resurgence in contemporary times.

Dilip Tirkey expressed heartfelt sentiments upon returning to the stadium where his own hockey career commenced. "It is a privilege for me to stand here at the very arena where I participated in my first camp and played my inaugural major tournament. Today salutes those who laid the groundwork for Indian hockey a century ago and every athlete who has brought glory to the nation through this sport," said Tirkey.

Anticipating Tamil Nadu's hosting of the FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup 2025, the prestigious trophy was also displayed, marking the commencement of a 20-city trophy expedition.

In extending the centenary spirit across India, a nationwide hockey festival was orchestrated in 500 districts, engaging over 36,000 players in more than 1,000 exhibition matches. This initiative united school athletes, veterans, and community teams, transforming the centennial milestone into a genuine national celebration of hockey.

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