Indian Hockey - the forgotten legacy: The beginning
- In LifeStyle & Sports
- 11:49 AM, Aug 17, 2016
- Ranabir Bhattacharyya
Ever since undivided India started sending its contingent for Olympics, hockey has been the center of attraction. The team-game, which is the 'national sport of India’, has won so many laurels for the country at the topmost level at various times in Indian history. Seventy minutes of exquisite skill, perseverance and athleticism – hockey demands superior game reading and magical physical fitness. Almost after a century, when any Indian looks back at Olympics medal tallies, the nation gives utmost respect to the legendary hockey players like Dhyan Chand (A bio of Dhyan Chand (https://www.myind.net/magician-hockey-major-dhyan-singh-chand) who took the art of playing hockey to a completely different level. Although in the year 1900, India first sent its contingent in Olympics, the glory of gold came in Amsterdam Olympics, 1928.
The beginning of the golden era – Indian Men's Hockey- 1928 Amsterdam Olympics
In 1928 nine nations competed in the men's hockey category. Incidentally, 1927 witnessed the formation of Indian Olympic Association and Indian Hockey Federation as well. Thus, for the first time, the Indian men's hockey team was sent. Among 21 competitors in Indian colours, 14 were members from the Indian hockey team. There were two groups named A and B. In group A, along with India, Belgium, Denmark, Austria, Switzerland were there. In the group B, there heavyweights as well, namely Netherlands, Germany, France, Spain. In the group league matches, India topped Group A with 26 goals in only 4 matches. Surprised! Well, this was all due to the magic of Dhyan Chand.
In the first match only, he scored a hat trick against Austria and that too within the first half. In the second match, the strong Belgian team was completely routed. Interestingly, the Indian defense was too good, which didn't concede a single goal in the league matches and goalkeeper was only a spectator to the magical stick work of Dhyan Chand. Belgium also played well, winning all matches in Group A, barring their match against majestic India.
As far as Group B was concerned, there was stiff competition and Netherlands topped the group, followed by the German team. Thus it meant that India would have to play their maiden finals against the mighty Netherlands (erstwhile Holland) team. The final was on 26th May and India didn't have the services of injured Feroze Khan and Shaukat Ali and captain Jaipal Singh.
Yet, India comfortably won the finals against the Holland team by a 3-0 margin. The goals scorers were Dhyan Chand, Seaman and Goodsir-Cullen. They showed their impressive skills and led India to a comfortable and brilliant victory in the final match. The tournament witnessed the birth of a magical Indian team with supreme flair in its attacking front, led by the legendary Dhyan Chand who was backed up by a rock solid defense.
Dhyan Chand was the top scorer of the tournament scoring 14 goals, all scored with deft touches, superior speed and execution. The international media was amazed at the fact that India didn't concede a single goal in the tournament. The Indian team mostly comprising of Anglo-Indians announced their arrival with superlative performances. The local Dutch media even compared the ability of Indian players saying that they surpassed the law of gravity while dribbling and passing the ball. Thus, began a new chapter in Indian Hockey.
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