Five years ago he suffered a stroke and has been paralysed since then. “Dad was paralysed after suffering a stroke five years back. He used to walk with a stick but since the last couple of months, his health deteriorated and this morning he left us,” his younger son V P Singh told PTI.

“His last rites will be performed today after my sister reaches Una from Delhi,” V P Singh said.

He lost his wife 12 years ago. While the eldest son is a doctor in Canada, the younger son was with him when he took his last breath. The only daughter of Mr Singh is married and based in New Delhi.

Singh, midfielder and two-time Olympian was remarkable in the fields. He was a part of team India during its glorious days in the Olympics. He led the team in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, defeating Pakistan in the final and participated in the Indian team in Rome Olympics, 1960, where India claimed silver.

He was an alumnus of Col Brown Cambridge School, Dehradun and Panjab University. After his acclaimed career in international hockey, he served as the Director of the Physical Education Department in Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla. 

Singh was a devoted hockey player and still had memories of the Rome Olympics where India lost by a delicate 0-1 margin against arch-rival Pakistan. Four years later, under his captaincy, India defeated Pakistan and clinched gold in the Tokyo Olympics.

Recollecting the fond memory in the lead-up to last year’s Tokyo Olympics, Charanjit had told Hockey India Flashback Series: “Both the teams were regarded among the strongest teams during that time, and we had a very challenging outing against them (Pakistan).

“Moreover, you know how intense it becomes when you play against Pakistan that too in the final of the Olympics. The match was also interrupted briefly to cool down the tempers of both teams.

“I told my boys to focus on the game, rather than wasting time talking to them. We were tested hard but also showed great character, and won the match by a narrow 1-0 margin to return home with that historic gold medal.”

“Winning two medals for the country has been a moment of pride and honour for me. You know, after winning the gold medal at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, we were accorded a warm welcome on our arrival at the airport, a lot of fans had assembled, and it was a very special feeling for every one of us,” the eminent further shared. 

“Hockey was a very popular sport in India. It was given more importance because of the rich history, and our country had dominated in this sport in early years. We had won many gold medals at a prestigious event like the Olympics, and that was the key reason behind it.” 

“He was a legendary halfback who inspired an entire generation of players. He was a very cool-headed captain and he will forever be remembered for his incredible skills on the field and for his humility off the field,” Hockey India president Gyanendro Nigombam added.

The post India mourns the demise of Hockey eminent Charanjit Singh first appeared on The History Book of Indian Hockey.

“Overwhelmed to receive this letter from our Hon’ble PM @narendramodi ji. His constant support to athletes has motivated us to do our best at Tokyo2020. Sir, I am inspired by your passion for sport and pledge to continue my contribution to Indian sports. @PMOIndia @ianuragthakur,” Rupinder tweeted while attaching the appreciation letter by PM. 

In his social media post, overwhelmed Lakra expressed his gratitude and said, “We athletes contribute our life to the sport and when it is acknowledged by Hon’ble PM of the country, it feels like we have really done our bit for nation-building. Heartfelt thanks to Hon’ble Narendra Modi ji for his warm gesture. The time spent with you at the interaction after Tokyo 2020 will always remain memorable. Sir, I will surely take up the suggestion made by you regarding visits to 75 schools as part of #AzadiKaAmritMahotsav and continue to contribute to my country in my own little way.”

Lakra and Pal were both members of the Bronze clinching team at Tokyo. On September 30, Pal and Lakra announced his early retirement from the sport via social media platform citing “paving the way for youth to showcase their talents in the podium”

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had sent letters of appreciation to the staunch players for their contribution to the well-celebrated sport. 

In his letter to Pal, Modi wrote, “…I would like to personally thank you for all that you have done Indian hockey.” He pointed to Rupinder as a source of inspiration for Indian Hockey for the last decade and applauded him for his part in the resurgence of the sport in the country. 

The PM asked Rupinder to play his part in the Amrit Mahotsav by touring various schools across the country by August 2023. He also requested him to reach out to youngsters on ways to eliminate malnutrition plus promote the sport amongst them. 

“This would be a great service to the coming generations,” Modi added. 

The post Hockey Olympians moved by PM’s appreciation letters first appeared on The History Book of Indian Hockey.

To your knowledge, Asian Games are due next year and it is the direct qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

In the Tokyo Olympics this year, India clinched a medal after a long wait of 41 years. The gleam of the Bronze victory hasn’t worn off yet and the news of the withdrawal of players, who contributed to this path-breaking achievement, caught everyone’s attention.

Staunch Rupinder Pal Singh has played 223 matches so far while stalwart Birendra Lakra played 200 matches, the last being in Tokyo, stressed on “time to allow the next generation of players to experience this great feeling for India” before leaving the stage for newcomers.

Evidently, the timing of such an announcement and gathering for the national team was not coincidental. Inside sources revealed that Rupinder, Lakra, and Sunil were all interested to carry on and expecting to “at least play till the 2022 Asian Games”, but the think-tank planned something different.

The alteration ritual after Olympics

It is not new to anyone that most of the nations opt for the “churn and change” policy after every Olympics cycle concentrating firmly on the players who can last the next four years. Fresh legs are called up and trained to get them going for the pinnacle of it all – the Olympics. And with India’s marvellous triumph at Tokyo, hopes are sky-high.

India has a glorious past at the Olympics, clinching a total of eight golds but failed to fetch any since 1980. Hence, it is understood why the federation, coaches and players don’t want to take a chance tasting victory after a wait of four decades.

Past one week the think-tank and the coaches held exclusive meetings with most of these players in New Delhi, and the players were informed that they were “no longer a part of the scheme of things for now, or even the future”, keeping in mind the next Olympics cycle. It was the termination point for them.

The players had two options, either to wait and watch until they got picked- which was unlikely- or sign off from the game. They chose the dignified way and retired than being dropped from the core group of next in the preference line.

However, retirements in hockey are infrequent. As a matter of fact, there are many players who haven’t announced their retirement until the present. But hockey too had to follow the trend par other sports and there are many dropped players waiting for their turn to get picked as the years passed by.

The last week’s incidents remind us of 2018 when famed midfielder and former captain Sardar Singh became India’s first top player in the recent past to officially announce his retirement.

It was September 2018, the national team had just landed in the country from their bronze-medal finish at the Jakarta Asian Games. The World Cup was due in just a few months at home. They had missed a direct opportunity to qualify for the Tokyo Games and also failed to defend their Asiad title, which had not gone down well with the think tank.

It is conceived that Sardar, who was not in the best of forms at that time, “was told that his services were no longer required”, leading to the hockey renowned’s exit from the game.

The list doesn’t end here, former midfielder Viren Rasquinha was possibly the first international player of modern times to proclaim his retirement hardly days after being omitted from the 2006 Doha Asian Games squad. In 2010, the legendary Dilip Tirkey quit after having represented India in a total of 412 matches, a record that still is unbroken.

India will miss its stars, but probably it was a decision best taken in the interest of the sport.

The post Why do Rupinder and Lakra retire so early? first appeared on The History Book of Indian Hockey.

Vivek was part of the national team that claimed Bronze at the recently concluded Tokyo Olympics. To him, this is a dreamlike moment as he has already been honoured with the award in the 2019-2020 season.

“I never imagined this would happen again. It is a surreal feeling to have been nominated for the second time in the same category (FIH Rising Star of the Year Award),” expressed Vivek graciously.

“I got to know this late in the night when I saw texts from my friends congratulating me. To be honest, it’s really overwhelming,” he continued, as quoted by The Hindu. 

The Indian Hockey body prepared the shortlist of all the divisions of FIH Awards 2020-21.

“It’s the result of teamwork and the support of senior players,” said the 21-year old while expressing gratitude to his seniors. 

“Since my debut, the seniors have been the biggest source of motivation. They have helped me play my natural game without any fear or pressure. That is the biggest reason why I could win the 2019 FIH Rising Star of the Year Award and also stand a chance to receive the honour for the second time,” he added further. 

He also pops off his feelings of winning the Bronze against Germany at the quadrennial games. “I still can’t believe I was part of the Olympic medal-winning team,” he voiced.

“It’s a dream of every athlete and I am really blessed to be able to live this dream at the age of 21.”

Asserting about the efforts put down by the team to execute an exemplary play in the next game, Vivek said, “…this is just the beginning and there’s still a lot of room for improvement. We have raised the bar and we have to do even better. There will be more challenges ahead and we need to be fully prepared for whatever comes our way.”

The post Indian Hockey | Twice in a row Vivek being nominated for FIH rising star first appeared on The History Book of Indian Hockey.

They played a wonderful match, said Prime Minister Modi, who updated his Twitter on watching the semifinal match against Belgium. After the results, he had a word with captain Manpreet Singh and clapped for their performance at the stadium. He encouraged the Indian representation to give their best in the play for Bronze.

Former Hockey captain, Jagbir Singh, also tweeted to boost the morale up for India.

Everyone was eying on today’s match as had India managed to win against Belgium, the achievement would have been a huge psychological battle victory. Belgium, in the past decade, scripted a different story to narrate. Their fortunate years have begun since 2011 with winning an Olympic medal, World Cup, European Championship in a span of ten years. Hence, taking down Belgium, No. 2 world champions, happened to be a great deal for India.

The squad, however, was unable to stop the opponent as Alexander Hendrickx thrashed India by scoring hat-tricks.

The Belgium goal-getter, Alexander, tops the goal-scoring charts with 11 goals in the event so far.

Here are the highlights from the match:

Men’s hockey semifinal: India against Belgium

7:00 AM, Teams are standing guard to beat the opponent.

7:02 AM, Belgium get a penalty corner in just 1:04 minutes of play.

7:03 AM, Belgium lead India 1-0 in the second minute of the game. It’s Luypaert, not Hendrickx who goaled for the team.

7:10 AM, India get a PC but Vanasch saves the reverse from Manpreet after a poor stop routine. But another PC was awarded to India for transgression.

7:10 AM, India equalize through Harmanpreet Singh. Both the team stands 1-1.

7:16 AM, GOAL!!! Mandeep goaled for India. Team Blue is ahead of Belgium 2-1.

7:23 AM, First Quarter ends.

7:28 AM, Match is fierce. Belgium is now showing some pressure on the podium. But India swings back all three, despite being less a player, Rupinder Pal Singh, in the team. Rupinder rushed out early and sent to the half-line. India leads 2-1.

7:30 AM, Another PC for Belgium. This time Hendrickx goaled. Belgium 2-2 India.

7:49 AM, End of the second quarter.

8:05 AM, The Weather condition is adverse. The humidity level in Tokyo is almost 80%. Such conditions are a big test of players’ fitness as well. But the game continues. India earns their fifth penalty corner in the 38th minute. Belgium loses video referral as well. No goal this time, both teams 2-2.

8:21 AM, Fourth Quarter begins. Fifteen minutes left to match ending.

8:23 AM, Capt. Manpreet is out for two minutes with a green card. Belgium gets their 8th PC. Striking move from Rohidas, blocking Hendrickx. But the ball hits his leg and 9th PC for Belgium. India thwarts but made a mistake. Another PC.

8:25 AM, Hendrickx, drag-flicker, secured another goal. Belgium is now ahead 3-2. This is his 12th goal of the Games in Tokyo.

8:33 AM, India is tensed. Pressure is all over. Only 7:31 minutes left for the match to end and India lags 2-3.

8:34 AM, Penalty stroke for Belgium. This can finish the game for India. Hendrickx scores another goal, completes his hat-trick with his 14th goal of the Games. India trail 2-4 with 7 minutes left in the game.

8:45 AM, Belgium beat India 5-2 with the final goal scored by Dohmen in the first semifinal match at the Olympics. Belgium registered their second consecutive Olympic final, while India will play Germany or Australia for bronze. Thanks to Hendrickx for scoring hat-tricks, Luypaert for a goal in the second minute and Dohman to seal the victory by securing a goal in the last minute. While Harmanpreet and Mandeep scored for India.

India will now face Germany for the Bronze!

The post India will now race for Bronze, lost to Belgium 2-5 first appeared on The History Book of Indian Hockey.

59′ Done and Dusted! The game is still in favour of India. Although Kenta Tanaka got the ball back from an Indian player, entered the circle, trickled past Sreejesh and set up Kazuma Murata, who goaled with ease in the end.

50′ PR Sreejesh makes a double shot to deny Japan a goal.

47′ Goalkeeper Takashi Yoshikawa was injured after being struck on his right shoulder by Indian midfielder Hardik Singh. However, he can continue to play.

India still possesses 58% of the game. But Japan isn’t in the mood to let it go easily. The opposition is buckled up to equalise the match. India has to be more alert in the end 15 minutes to capture three points.

THIRD-QUARTER OVER, FOURTH IS AFOOT!

45′ Nilakanta, India’s best player so far, goaled for India. The umpire, however, doesn’t award it due to dangerous play in the build-up. India stays ahead by 3-2.

33′ Tie: India and Japan 2-2, initially the umpire declared it as a penalty stroke as India’s Surender Kumar blocked a shot from Kota Watanabe with his body. But later it was clear that he had blown his whistle only after the ball hit the back of the net.

THE THIRD QUARTER STARTS!

The opening half comes to an end. India is leading 2-0. Thanks to Harmanpreet Singh and Gurjant Singh for scoring two goals for India. Kenta Tanaka pulled a goal back for Japan to convert the game into an exciting event. Thirty minutes more.

SECOND HALF IS OVER NOW! AH, IT WAS BLOOD RUSHING.

30′ Japan’s Shota Yamada was injured after a collision with an opponent player. Soon medical staff rushed to the ground and got him away in a stretcher. Tensed air all over the podium.

17′ Another goal! India is ahead 2-0. The combined effort by Simranjeet Singh and Gurjant Singh made India lead.

Second-quarter began with India leading against Japan 1-0. Credit to Harmanpreet Singh for the goal for India.

SECOND-QUARTER BEGINS!

15′ The first quarter ends. Team Japan seems to be in a very tough mode. This could become a high scoring match for India.

7′ India could have been leading the game but Vivek’s shot at close range missed the target by a whisker. Japan is little relaxed now. The team is at the bottom and playing for the consolation win today.

At 2′ India began the passing game. Harmanpreet threw a dangerous ball in the shooting circle at 5′ but a player from Japan flicked it away.

Positioned at second with nine points, just behind Australia with 12 points, team India is expecting a confidence-boosting victory ahead quarters.

And the match began with both the teams being introduced to each other, followed by playing the national anthems and toss in the middle.

The post Tokyo Olympics|Live Updates| India defeats host Japan ahead quarters first appeared on The History Book of Indian Hockey.

The first goal was scored by Simranjeet Singh. Following him, Rupinder Pal Singh scored a penalty stroke.

The national team is 3 point behind Australia, which claimed triumph in all matches and is in the first position.

For team India winning this match was very important. The team has played three matches so far, against New Zealand, Australia and Spain.

The national team defeated Spain by 3-0 in their third Group A game being played at Oi Hockey Stadium on Tuesday.

The post Hockey Updates|Another victory, India won against Spain by 3-0 first appeared on The History Book of Indian Hockey.

New Zealand played well in the first quarter of the game but Rupinder equalised for India in the latter half.

Manpreet led team will now face Australia on July 25, who won against host Japan with 5-3 in another mettlesome game.

The post India vs New Zealand: A winning start in Tokyo Olympics first appeared on The History Book of Indian Hockey.

The men’s team is under the captainship of Manpreet Singh Sandhu, while Rani will lead the women’s national team. 

Graham Reid, chief coach of India’s men hockey team, shared how excited the team is to perform their best on the podium. “The team is absolutely excited. They have all worked really hard for this moment and it is time to convert the sacrifices made over the last couple of months and years into desirable results in Tokyo,” expressed Reid, as quoted by The New Indian Express. 

“As I have always said, our aim will be to perform best match-by-match. The team is mentally prepared to face the challenges on and off the field in Tokyo,” he added further.

In their first Pool A match team India will face New Zealand on July 24, then take on Australia on July 25. The series will continue with matches against Spain on July 27 and Olympic Champions Argentina on July 29 and host Japan on July 30.

“As we leave Bengaluru, we are filled with gratitude towards the staff at SAI Bengaluru, Sports Authority of India and Hockey India who ensured we got everything needed in the last 15 months while training in a bio-bubble. Hockey India and SAI have been a huge support in our preparations,” Reid said before departing for Delhi from Bengaluru.

On the other hand, women’s chief coach Sjoerd Marijne agreed with Reid as she was quoted saying, “It was quite emotional for us when we had our last training session yesterday (Friday) in SAI, Bengaluru. This group is really special. They are very strong mentally and I believe this will be one of our assets when we take on big teams in Tokyo. We are geared up for the challenge.”

Earlier on a virtual meet, Capt. Manpreet shared with PM Narendra Modi how dedicatedly team India is preparing itself to bring back the glory to the sport. The clip of their conversation was shared on PM’s Twitter handle and later retweeted by TheHockeyIndia. See here:

The post Aimed to bring back the glory team India took off for Tokyo first appeared on The History Book of Indian Hockey.

The national team, defeated by Belgium in the quarter-finals, ranked 8th in the last Olympics in Rio de Janerio (2016).

“Drew in Canada match costs us in 2016. It had put us into a different qualification team, but this time as I believe we are more prepared. The present national team is going to handle the celebrated Games way lot better than Rio de Janerio,” he was quoted as saying in a Hockey India release. He also has a high opinion for the present vice-captain Harmanpreet Singh, who superseded him as a drag-flicker to the team.

Raghunath is one of the noted players of Indian Men Hockey. He showed his performance as a full stacker but drew appreciation for his abilities as a drag-flicker. Serving as a vice-president of the Karnataka Hockey Association, Raghunath was a part of team India when it won Gold in Asia Cup (2007), gold again in Asian Games (2014), Bronze in Hockey World League (2015), silver in Commonweath Games (2014) and Asia Cup (2013),  and Silver again in Champions Trophy (2016) in London. In Asia Cup (2013), he scored six goals and was awarded the “Best Player of the Tournament.”

The post Team India is all set for the Olympics, praises Raghunath first appeared on The History Book of Indian Hockey.