Famous Personalities of Indian Hockey World
Hockey is a very popular sport and is played by both sexes in the Olympics, World Cup and Champion's Trophy, with a host of officiating councils and bodies all over the world. Hence, there are bound to be many prominent hockey players who have contributed a lot to the game.
The best show of hockey supremacy has been displayed by the Indian team who has won eight Olympic gold medals with 6 of them in consecutive Olympics (1924-1956), a record which stands till date. They won each and every game at the Olympics with a score of 7-8 goals per match. The other two golds came in 1964 & 1980. Besides, there were other wins at the Asian Games.
In the golden era of Indian supremacy, many legends were born whose playing amazed the world and even aroused suspicion of the hockey sticks being tampered with magnets or glue. These players were the masters of the game beyond compare with even statues being erected in their names.
Dhyan Chand considered the "Hockey Wizard" and among the greatest sports person ever and the best in the hockey sport and holds the highest record of the goals scored. He led India to Olympic gold in 1928, 1932 and 1936.
Leslie Claudius, among the best right-half players, was a part of the Olympic Gold winning team of 1948, 1952, 1956 and a silver in 1960 (the highest tally Hockey Olympic medals won so far)
Ajit Pal Singh, among the finest center-half players who represented India in 1976 Olympics, silver medals in 1970 & 1974 Asian Games and the captain of the winners of 1975 World Cup.
Balbir Singh Sr., among the best centre-forwards who played in Olympic Gold winning team from 1948, 1952, 1956 and silver medals at Asian Games 1958 and 1962. He is also the first hockey player to be given the Padma Shri.
A curious thing to note that the name "Balbir" has brought accolades to Indian Hockey team as the name represents six different hockey players who have done India proud in four Olympics (3 Golds and 3 Bronzes) and three Asian Games (3 Golds and 4 Silvers). The tally breakdown is 3 Olympic Golds (1948, 1952, 1956), 3 Olympic Bronze (1968), 3 Asiad Golds (1966), 4 Asiad Silver (1958, 1970).
Dhanraj Pillay, an ace hockey striker who has represented India in the 4 Summer Olympics (1992, 1996, 2000, 2004), 4 World Hockey Cups, 4 Champions Trophies, 4 Asian Games, and 4 Asia Cups. Besides, he was the lone Indian player of the World Eleven side in the World Cup (1994). He is the recipient of the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award and Padma Shri awards.
Gagan Ajit Singh among the prominent present players of Indian Hockey team and among the best centre forwards players. He captained the Indian junior team to victory in Junior World Cup (2001) and represented India in All-Asian Men hockey team (2002). He has received the Arjuna Award.
Udham Singh is an Arjuna recipient and among the best hockey player and coach of Indian Hockey.
K. D. Singh Babu is among the few hockey players to get the Padma Shree award.
Mohammed Shahid, a forward player and has received the Padma Shree and Arjuna award.