Major Dhyan 'Chand' Singh was an Indian hockey player, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. As a hockey player, Dhyan Chand made great contribution in enhancing the prestige of Indian hockey in the eyes of the world. By his superior play, Dhyan Chand was held in high esteem both within the country as well as abroad. Dhyan Chand helped his country in winning gold medals in hockey in three successive Olympic Games. He was also the captain of the gold medal winner Indian Hockey Team in the historic 1936 Berlin Olympics. Because of his brilliant performance, Dhayn Chand became a great attraction in Berlin Olympiad. Dhyan Chand scored 101 goals at the Olympic Games and 300 goals in other international matches and his record is still unbroken. Donald Bradman the great cricketer once remarked, ‘It appears that Indian hockey players score goals like cricket runs”. Dhyan Chand had, in fact, a wonderful command in wielding the hockey stick and this earned him the title of the “Hockey Wizard”. Dhyan Chand became a legend in his own lifetime.
Dhyan Chand was born on 29th August 1905, in Allahabad (U.P.). He joined army at the age of sixteen. He started playing Hockey in army and soon turned into a very good hockey player. He was included in the Indian hockey team for the 1928 Amesterdom Olympics. Indian won gold medal in hockey at Amesterdom Olympics and out pf a total of 28 goals scored by Indian hockey, 11 were scored by Dhayn Chand alone. Thereafter, Dhyan Chand’s career in hockey was a story of continuous success. After the attainment of independence, Dhyan Chand was promoted to Major. The Government of India also honoured him with ‘Padma Bhushan’. Dhyan Chand received honours in foreign countries also. In 1936 Berlin Olympics, he was honoured with ‘Olive Crown’ and in the 19968 Mexico Olympics; he was honoured as ‘Distinguished Guest’. Dhyan Chand also ran an institute for the coaching of young hockey players. He died on 3 December 1979.
August 29 is celebrated as National Sports Day when the national sporting awards are handed out by the President of India at Rashtrapathi Bhavan. Dhyan Chand's imposing statue at the entrance of the National Stadium (main venue of the inaugural Asian Games in 1951) is a reminder of the all-time legend of hockey who brought so much glory to both the game and the nation. In 2002, the union sports ministry of India introduced a Lifetime Achievement Award in sports in the name of Dhyan Chand.
Really it is so awesome to read about the great legend of Indian Hockey who mesmerised everyone with his dribbling skills. At this juncture, I am proud to mention that my maternal uncle, Mr. A.Claudius Dyas, is a dedicated hockey coach, who had been moulded by Maj. Dhyan Chand in the National Institute of Sports, Patiala then. At present he is retired and he is aged 85 years. He has produced many stalwarts in the city of Coimbatore. One of his wards Mr.Shanmugham was nicknamed as Prithipal Singh of South India. Interested hockey fans can get in touch with him. His tel. No.0422-2609486. His e-mail id -hockeyclaudius@yahoo.co.in
ReplyDeleteAdvocate Dominic Gerad (alias) Jerry
On 2nd June 2010, my maternal uncle who was nicknamed a "Father of Coimbatore Hockey" breathed his last after a brief illness. He is survived by his wife Glory Claudius, nephews and nieces. His demise was reported in the Tamilnadu Edition of The Hindu dated 3rd June 2010 which read, "Father of Coimbatore Hockey is no more" Adieu Mr.Claudius
ReplyDeleteAdvocate Dominic Gerad (alias) Jerry, Cbe
he was real hockey hero
ReplyDelete