A Century of Indian Hockey: From Dhyan Chand to Modern Legends

The Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports announced the 100-year celebration of Indian Hockey, to be held on November 7, 2025, at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.
This celebration honours a century of excellence in a sport that is central to India’s national pride and identity.

India’s national sport of pride, symbolising teamwork, discipline, and national unity.
Played with sticks and a small hard ball, it is one of the oldest field sports with historical and cultural significance in India.

Early forms of hockey trace back 4,000 years to ancient Egypt.
Modern hockey developed in 18th-century England.
Introduced to India during British rule (1850s), it gained popularity due to simplicity and availability of open grounds.
The first Indian hockey club was formed in Calcutta in 1855, marking the beginning of organised hockey in India.

1925: Formation of Indian Hockey Federation (IHF), following the International Hockey Federation (FIH).
1926: India’s first international tour to New Zealand, winning 18 of 21 matches, introducing Dhyan Chand, the “Wizard of Hockey.”
1928–1956: India dominated world hockey, winning six consecutive Olympic gold medals, an unmatched global record.
1964 & 1980: Additional Olympic golds reaffirmed India’s legacy in hockey.
1975: India won its only Hockey World Cup in Kuala Lumpur.
Post-2000s: Revival with Olympic medals at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 and gold at Asian Games 2023, restoring India’s global prominence.

8 Olympic Gold Medals and 13 Olympic podium finishes.
1 Hockey World Cup title.
Legendary players: Dhyan Chand, Balbir Singh Sr, Dhanraj Pillay, Harmanpreet Singh.
Women’s hockey achievements: Commonwealth Gold (2002), 4th place at Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
India ranks among the top 5 hockey nations globally, competing in FIH Pro League and World Cup events.

National Identity: Hockey symbolizes postcolonial pride, uniting diverse regions of India.
Cultural Heritage: Represents resilience, teamwork, and excellence, values rooted in Indian society.
Women Empowerment: Rise of women’s hockey under initiatives like ASMITA Leagues showcases inclusivity and gender equality in sports.

The centenary celebration of Indian Hockey is a tribute to India’s sports heritage, cultural pride, and global achievements.
Hockey continues to inspire teamwork, perseverance, and national unity, bridging generations and regions.

Source : PIB