Indian hockey over the years
Hockey has been in India for over a century now. Introduced by British in 1880s, the sport soon became very popular among the Indians. The played was widely played both at professional and local levels. It emerged as one of the favourite pastimes of the people. In pre-independence India, it was the most popular of all games in the country. This led to Hockey being declared as the national sport of the country. People of India took the game seriously and encouraged their children to take up the sports on a professional level.
At one point, Indian hockey team was the best hockey team in the World. It was successful at many international tournaments and from 1928 to 1956, won gold in the hockey event of every Olympics. That was indeed the golden period for Indian Hockey. It also performed very well at other international events during this period. Its commendable performance continued and it maintained its position as the best hockey team for several years. It won a total of eight golds at Olympics.
Apart from this, it even won one silver medal and two bronze medals in the international event. Until 2008, Indian hockey team qualified for every Olympics. The team failed to qualify for the 2008 Olympics and it was the first time in 80 years that India was not present in the Olympics hockey event. Apart from Olympics, India has performed well at other international events such as Asian Games, Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, Asia Cup and the Hockey world Cup. The team won gold twice at the Asian Games in 1966 and 1998. It also won Asia Cup twice, in 2003 and 2007. The team has performed very well at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, winning five golds in total. The team won the Hockey World Cup in 1975.
Many notable hockey players have emerged from India that have left their mark on the national and international hockey scene. Dhyan Chand is the most popular Indian hockey player. He was known for his exceptional style and goal scoring skills. He has scored more than 400 goals in his career. He had a significant contribution in making India one of the greatest hockey teams of his times. Out of the eight, India won three golds in Olympics with Dhyan Chand. Aprt from him, Dhanraj pillai is another notable Indian hockey player. These players have made great contributions to the game of hockey.
For more details please check www.delhi-waveriders.in/.
At one point, Indian hockey team was the best hockey team in the World. It was successful at many international tournaments and from 1928 to 1956, won gold in the hockey event of every Olympics. That was indeed the golden period for Indian Hockey. It also performed very well at other international events during this period. Its commendable performance continued and it maintained its position as the best hockey team for several years. It won a total of eight golds at Olympics.
Apart from this, it even won one silver medal and two bronze medals in the international event. Until 2008, Indian hockey team qualified for every Olympics. The team failed to qualify for the 2008 Olympics and it was the first time in 80 years that India was not present in the Olympics hockey event. Apart from Olympics, India has performed well at other international events such as Asian Games, Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, Asia Cup and the Hockey world Cup. The team won gold twice at the Asian Games in 1966 and 1998. It also won Asia Cup twice, in 2003 and 2007. The team has performed very well at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, winning five golds in total. The team won the Hockey World Cup in 1975.
Many notable hockey players have emerged from India that have left their mark on the national and international hockey scene. Dhyan Chand is the most popular Indian hockey player. He was known for his exceptional style and goal scoring skills. He has scored more than 400 goals in his career. He had a significant contribution in making India one of the greatest hockey teams of his times. Out of the eight, India won three golds in Olympics with Dhyan Chand. Aprt from him, Dhanraj pillai is another notable Indian hockey player. These players have made great contributions to the game of hockey.
For more details please check www.delhi-waveriders.in/.
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