Gargi Raut in Delhi
On a pleasant Delhi morning, with the winter breeze blowing, Hockey fans woke up early to celebrate 100 years of Indian Hockey, at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.
Hockey India went all out to celebrate the momentous occasion in the presence of Legends of Indian Hockey, current men’s and women’s team players and the Sports Minister of India. An exhibition match was organised between the Minister’s XI and Hockey India XI. Active Indian hockey players were divided between the two teams as the crowd enjoyed, for the first time ever, a mixed Hockey match.
Hockey India General Secretary Bholanath Singh, Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, and other dignitaries took the field. The day was filled with celebrations, from dance numbers to lively music performances by singer Shubham Mandhavan.
The crowd too showed up in large numbers as school children, Khelo-India athletes and the general public enjoyed the celebrations.
Former vice-captain of the Indian team, Hardik Singh, spoke to RevSportz about how much Hockey means to him. “Hockey is my life. I have been connected with Hockey all my life. My father was a hockey player, My uncle was a part of the 1980 Gold-Medal winning team, and his wife captained the Indian women’s hockey team for 8 years.
“My father has also played for the Indian national team. Hockey is an emotion for me. No matter what tournament we’re playing, it’s never just about the team. It’s always about India winning. Be it any medal or any tournament, we’re playing for the people of the country.
“After the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, I got a call from someone who told me ‘I have seen many generations of the Indian hockey team play but this medal has made me the happiest’, that moment was priceless. That summarises what Hockey means to me.”
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