Hockey is one of the world’s most ancient games. Punjabi hockey players have played important role in this game. But for the last few years, Punjabi players could not play a desirable role in this game which may be due to a lack of interest and training. It is very interesting to know that one street of Sansarpur village, Jalandhar produced 14 Hockey Olympians.
1 Col. Gurmeet Singh Kular 1932.
2 Udham Singh Kular, 1952, 56, 60, 64.
3 Gurdev Singh Kular, 1956.
4 Darshan Singh Kular,1964.
5 Balvir Singh Kular, 1964, 68.
6 Jagjit Singh Kular, 1964, 68.
7 Col. Balvir Singh Kular, 1968.
8 Hardial Singh Kular, 1964, 68.
9 Hardev Singh Kular, 1956, 60.
10 Jagjit Singh Kular, 1968.
11 Tarsem Singh Kular, 1968.
12 Ajitpal Singh Kular, 1968, 72, 76.
13 Harvinder Singh Kular, 1984.
14 Bindi Kular, 2000.
Dhyan Singh/ Chand:
Major Dhyan Chand (August 29, 1905 - December 3, 1979) was an Indian field hockey player. He was known for his extraordinary goal-securing feats. He earned three Olympic gold medals in 1928, 32, 36, during an era where Indians dominated field hockey. India won field hockey events in seven out of eight Olympics from 1928 to 1964. Dhyan Singh was born in Allahabad into a Rajput family and graduated from Victoria College, Gwalior in 1932. He was the elder brother of hockey player Roop Singh. Dhyan Singh used to practice a lot during the night in the light of the Moon (Chand), he was hence called Chand.
Senior Balvir Singh:
Balvir Singh Dosanjh (December 31, 1923 - May 25, 2020) is regarded as one of the greatest hockey players of all time and is widely regarded as the sport’s greatest ever center-forward. He was a three-time Olympic gold-medalist, having played a key role in India’s wins in London (1948) Helsinki (1952 as vice-captain), and Melbourne (1956 as captain) Olympics. His Olympic record for most goals secured by an individual in the Olympic men’s hockey final remains unbeaten. Balvir Singh Dosanjh was born into a Jat Sikh family in village Haripur Khalsa, Jalandhar, Punjab. He graduated from Khalsa College Amritsar and was trained by a Harbail coach. He was honored with the Padma Shri award in 1957 and featured on a stamp issued in 1958, he lit the Sacred Flame at the Asian Games 1982 held at New Delhi, he was named the Best Hockey Player in 2006, and he was judged to be the Indian Sportsman of the Century in 1982. He was conferred with the Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award of Hockey Indian in 2015.
Prithipal Singh:
Prithipal Singh (January 28, 1932 - May 20, 1983) was an Indian field hockey player nicknamed “ The king of short corner “ and Maharathi of International Hockey Game. He participated in Olympic field hockey three times and each time he secured the highest number of goals as a single player. Singh won Olympic medals in Rome (1960 silver), Tokoyo (1964 gold), and Mexico (1968 bronze). Prithipal Singh was a player with sharp reflexes, and tremendous strength in his long powerful arms as he produced the firmest and sticking shots that unfailingly fetched him goals. He was born in the city of Nankana Sahib, British Punjab. He did MSc Agriculture from College of Agriculture Ludhiana in 1956. The first-ever Arjan Award to a hockey player was conferred to him in 1961. He worked as Deputy Director of Youth Welfare in Punjab Agricultural University Ludhiana. He was assassinated by his student on the university campus during day time.
List of Indian Field Hockey Captains in Olympics, from Punjab:
Balvir Singh senior. 1956
Charanjit Singh. 1964.
Gurbux Singh, Prithipal Singh. 1968.
Harmik Singh. 1972.
Ajitpal Singh. 1976.
Pargat Singh. 1992 and 1996.
Ramandeep Singh. 2000.
There is an urgent need to encourage Punjabi field hockey players by providing the necessary coaching and proper facilities for field hockey players. There was a time when one street of the Sansarpur village produced 14 Olympians and at present, Punjab needs to produce talented field hockey players in order to maintain their status of field hockey in the world.
Image Credits:
https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/indiascope/story/19830615-former-olympic-hockey-star-prithipal-singh-murder-sends-shock-waves-throughout-india-770740-2013-07-19
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