MAJOR DHYAN CHAND - THE WIZARD OF HOCKEY
Dhyan Chand, an Indian field hockey player, is considered as one of the greatest field hockey players of all time.
Chand was born in Allahabad on 29 August 1905 to Sameshwar Dutt, who used to work in the British Army and play hockey in the army as well. Chand’s younger brother, Roop Singh was a prolific hockey player as well.
Chand played a pivotal role in India winning three consecutive Olympic gold medals in 1928, 1932 and 1936. His birthday, 29th August, is celebrated as the National Sports Day in India.
Chand played his final international match in 1948 and was awarded the third highest (then second highest) civilian honour of Padma Bhushan in 1956 by the Government of India.
17 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE HOCKEY WIZARD, MAJOR DHYAN CHAND
- As a young boy, Chand had no interest in hockey and the only sport he was fond of was wrestling.
- Chand joined the Indian army at the age of 16 in 1921 and gained international attention when he toured New Zealand with the army team in 1926.
- Dhyan Chand was also known as “The Wizard.” He scored more than 400 goals in his international career. He helped India in winning three Olympic gold medals (1928, 1932 and 1936).
- Dhyan Chand was the leading goal-scorer at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics with 14 goals. A news report about India’s victory said “This is not a game of hockey, but magic. Dhyan Chand is, in fact, the magician of hockey.”
- Even though Dhyan Chand was involved in many memorable matches, he considers the 1933 Beighton Cup final between Calcutta Customs and Jhansi Heroes to be his best hockey March.
- In the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics India won their first match against Japan by 11-1 and won the final match against the host USA by a record 24-1 to ensure their 2nd consecutive olympic Gold. Out of 35 goals scored by India, Chand and his own brother Roop together, scored 25. This led to them being dubbed the 'hockey twins'.
- India's highest award for lifetime achievement in sports is the Dhyan Chand Award which has been awarded annually from 2002 to sporting figures.
- After India’s first match at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, the whole city of Berlin had posters: “The Olympic complex now has a magic show too. Visit the hockey stadium to watch the Indian magician Dhyan Chand in action.”
- Hockey authorities in the Netherlands once broke his hockey stick to check if there was a magnet inside.
- Dhyan Singh got the name of Dhyan Chand because after completing his duty, he used to do practice during the late night hours under the moon (Chand) light; his fellow players gave him this name.
- After watching Dhyan Chand in action, Sir Don Bradman, the Australian Cricket legend remarked "Dhyan Chand scores goals like runs in cricket”
- The fear of Dhyan Chand’s marvellous game play forced the officials in Netherlands to break his hockey stick to check if there was a magnet inside.
- Once, when Dhyan Chand was unable to score during a match, he argued with the match referee about the measurement of the goal post. To everyone's shock, Chand was right; the goal post was found to be in an infringement of the official minimum width prescribed under international rules.
- Dhyan Chand’s son Ashok Dhyan Chand scored an important goal in the 1975 Kuala Lumpur Hockey World Cup to win the Gold Medal in a match against Pakistan.
- Two months before he died, Dhyan Chand made a remark that indicated of his state of mind, he said: "When I die, the world will cry, but India's people will not shed a tear for me, I know them."
- His doctor once asked him, "What is the future of Indian hockey?" To which Dhyan Chand replied, "Hockey in India is finished."
- Dhyan Chand was among the nominees considered for India's highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna, for 2014 and there was support for it. The award was then given to Sachin Tendulkar and C. N. R. Rao. The family members of Dhyan Chand were disappointed with government decision.
The last days of Dhyan Chand were not very happy, as he was short of money and was badly ignored by the nation. He developed liver cancer, and was sent to a general ward at the AIIMS, New Delhi.
Where he died on 3rd December 1979.
Respect to this hockey legend. Jai Hind.
