Indian Hockey And Sansarpur

Posted on February 22nd, 2008 by Pushpinder

The tiny village of Sansarpur has been associated with the progress of Indian hockey almost from the very beginning. The first Indian hockey team, which went on a foreign tour in 1926 , has a representative of Sansarpur is Thakur Singh. This was an Army XI which was captained by hockey wizard returned triumphant from its journey.Even a cursory glance on performance of Indian hockey teams which took part in various international competitions will suffice to establish the fact that fortunes of Indian hockey have had a close and intimate relationship with those of hockey in Sansarpur.

Col Balbir Singh during 1966 Asian Games

1928-80 period is considered a golden period in history of Indian hockey. It was during this period when we won international acclaim by winning many international tournaments. The most prestigious of these tournaments of course “Olympics”. During this period of 1928-80, in 12 Olympics, we won 8 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze. In fact, during this period each Indian team to Olympics returned with medals baring 1976 hockey team. This is a record which no international team could match so far. During this period Indian hockey Olympics bound teams have had players from Sansarpur, barring 1928, 36, 48, 80 Olympics teams. The numbers of players kept varying in different years. Maximum representation from Sansarpur village was in 1968 Mexico Olympics, where Indian team had 5 players from Sansarpur which is closely followed by 4 players from Sansarpur in Gold winning Indian Hockey team participating in 1964 Tokyo Olympics. However, Indian team lost its winning habits after 1980 and since then we have not won any Olympic medal to date it is a strange coincidence that after 1980 no Olympic team has had a player from Sansarpur.

Besides Olympics, India also won medals in world cup in 1971 (Bronze), 73 (Silver), 75 ( Gold ) Ajit Pal Singh kullar by now a house hold name in Indian hockey and famous son of Sansarpur played in all these games and also led the team in 1975. Besides Ajit Pal Singh kullar, Balbir Singh kullar another famous hockey players from Sansarpur could also have represented and led World Cup team in 1971. Balbir Singh kullar was being tipped to lead first Indian World Cup team to originally scheduled venue Lahore (Pakistan). But due to political disturbance in Lahore, the venue was shifted to Barcelona and games were delayed by six months. It was a misfortune for Balbir Singh kullar and Indian team that he got injured during this period and could not make to the team.

From 1958 to 1974 Indian hockey team participating in Asian Games have had players from Sansarpur . So far we have won this prestigious tournament only twice, which was in 1966 and 1998 (Bangkok). The 1966 Asian Games gold winning team had four playing members from Sansarpur. Indian team to Tokyo Asian Games (1958) where we won a silver losing gold to Pakistan on goal average, also had four players from Sansarpur. Not only that Sansarpur players represented Indian teams in Asian Games from 1958 to 1974. The teams were lead by Sansarpuri’s in 1962 and 1974. Gurdev Singh kullar and Ajit Pal Singh kullar were the captains of these teams in 62 and 74 respectively .

Players from Sansarpur have always been an integral part of all teams participating with distinction in national tournaments of repute over the years Rangaswamy cup, most prestigious of national tournaments winning teams such as Punjab, Services, Railways and members of outstanding teams in various tournaments have been represented by players from Sansarpur.

Punjab University which has won universities titles several times has always been dominated by players from Sansarpur. In fact, in a personal conversation with the researcher, great hockey player Udham Singh kullar remarked that in his universities years, getting Punjab University colour was more difficult than getting Indian colour. As to win Punjab University colour a player had to play for three consecutive years. The selection of Punjab University team was very tough because at that time ten players were available for each side. And even in those days, Punjab University team had players from Sansarpur.

Thus we see that in the Golden era of Indian hockey (1928-80), hockey was also flourishing in Sansarpur, as players from Sansarpur were constantly making to National and International teams. However, after 1980, we observe a down fall in Indian hockey, the causes for which will be discussed in detail elsewhere, and also find that hockey standards in Sansarpur also lost its standing in the later years of 70s. However, lately a lot of soul scratching is going on and conscious efforts are being made to revive Indian hockey at national level. This hockey wise awakening is also reflected in Sansarpur hockey where Udham Singh Kullar has taken 250-300 young children under his fold who are getting training in hockey. Thus the days are not far away when these youngsters will be playing in various national, international teams and will bring laurels to India.

* Unfortunatly Sh. Udham Singh Kullar passed away on 23.3.2000 and now Col. Balbir Singh Kullar(Services) Has taken over.

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Indian Hockey At International Level

Posted on February 22nd, 2008 by Pushpinder

In 1928 an all India team was selected to represent India in the Olympic hockey championship held in Amsterdam. At the first attempt India established itself as the foremost combination in the world and won the coveted Olympic gold medal. India continued to dominate the Olympic scene in the succeeding Olympics, winning in 1932, 1936, 1948, 1952 and 1956. Then in 1960 it was robbed its world title by Pakistan. In 1964 (Tokyo ), India again won gold medal. In 1968 for the first time in the Olympic history India failed to qualify for the finals. In 1968 and 1972 Olympics India finished third. The next Olympic held in Montreal in 1976 was a complete disaster for India. For the first time India finished out of medal table, slumping to seventh place in the final order. This might well have been the virtual end of India as an international hockey power, bit for a surprising set of circumstances. In the 1980 Moscow Olympic, though depleted, India again took the Olympic crown for the eight time. India’s triumph was, however short-lived. The period after 1980 we may count as a black period for the Indian hockey when we hardly succeeded in any international tournament. In 1984 (Los Angeles) India finished only fifth. In 1988 (Seoul), India finished sixth and in the Olympic at Barcelona India finished only seventh. India also touched its lowest ever position (eight) in the 1996, Atlanta Olympic games.

Indian Hockey

Hockey was included in the Olympic games in 1908 and then in 1920 and afterwards in each Olympics from 1928 when India participated in the competition for the first time from 1928 to 1964 India continued on the top of the Olympic hockey.

The history of Indian hockey is known for the way the game is played and also its players. Eight time Olympic champions, once world champions (1975), twice Asian champions (1966 &1998), they will always arouse interest wherever they play. For long the Indian were the unchallenged leaders but artificial fields have introduced a new dimensions to the game and they are no longer on top. Many countries in Europe, Asia and elsewhere have made tremendous progress in the hockey and thus have surpassed India . This situation undoubtedly is very embarrassing for India. Efforts are being made at different levels to regain our repute in hockey by popularising sport in various parts of the country. Earlier the sport used to be considered with places like Jalandhar, Bhopal, Jhansi, Gwalior, Calcutta, Allahabad. Of these, Jalandhar has had a great contribution in the field of hockey, specially due to a large number of national and international players from its village Sansarpur.

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Sports In India

Posted on February 19th, 2008 by Pushpinder

Indian society has traditionally been a sport loving society. Games and sports have always been considered an integral part of Indian culture. Even in the older days sports and sportsmen were taken due care of by our ancient rulers. Certain sports were considered essential even for the members of royal society and budding rulers were supposed to master and excel in certain sports. Inspire of severe strains of money and lack of other physical facilities, now, the response for international sports events, when and wherever staged in India, elicit from general public and enthusiasm in generated by a small achievements by India in these events is hard to match elsewhere in the world. It will be in order to have a glance of various sports which have been popular in India over different historical eras and our achievements at International levels in those games and sports. As such an exercise will be helpful in ascertaining our major sports.

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In Ancient India emphasis was on physical fitness and martial arts. The games which got top recognition were: boxing, chariot racing, horse and elephant riding, hunting, jumping, running, sword fight, wrestling, yogi Asians. In Mughal period, due emphasis was given to sports by Mughal rulers. Various sports which were popular in Mughal India are boating, swimming, hunting, shooting, fencing, wrestling, dancing, fishing and horse riding .

When Britishers came to India they brought several other sports to India. Some of these were adopted by Indians and gained popularity among Indian masses, few of them are hockey, football, cricket, tennis, gymnastics, athletics, golf , swimming, rowing, military marching, rhythmic exercises, scout and drills.

After gaining Independence successive Indian governments have also taken care of sports. Sports ministry and several Indian Sports associations were formed to strengthen the sports structure in Indian society. The games which are high on popularity rating among Indian masses at present are hockey, cricket, football tennis, wrestling , basket ball, volley ball, shooting, rowing, swimming, cycling, handball, weight-lifting, athletics, badminton, table-tennis, billiards, chess, ,kabuki, kho-kho .

Having briefly outlined the games played by Indians at various times, let us now look at the major achievements in sports by modern Indian sportsmen .

The biggest and the most prestigious international sport event is certainly “Olympics”. Overview of our performance in Olympics in about hundred years is presented below :

Number of Medals in Olympic Games ( 1896-2008 )

Sl. No Discipline Year Venue Name Event Gold Silver Bronze Total
  1. Hockey   -    -    #    - 08 01 02 11
  2. Athletics 1900 Paris Norman G. Pritchard 200 Mtrs & 200 Mtrs Hurdles  - 02  - 02
  3. Wrestling 1952 Helsinki K.D. Yadav B. Weight  -  - 01 01
  4. Tennis 1996 Atlanta Leander Peas Singles  -  - 01 01
  5. Wt. Lifting 2000 Sydney Mahleshvari     -  -  - 01 01
  6. Shooting 2004 Athens Rajyavardhan Rathore     -  - 01  - 01

Other Notable Performance in Olympics (Near Misses)

S. No Discipline Year Venue Name Event Position Secured
  1. Athletics 1960 Rome Milkha SIngh 400 mtrs          4th
  2. Athletics 1964 Tokyo Gurbachan Singh 110 mtrs Hurdles          5th
  3. Athletics 1984 Los Angeles P.T. Usha 400 mtrs Hurdles          4th
  4. Athletics 2004 Athens Anju Bobby George Long Jump          6th
  5. Football 1956 Melbourne           -        -          4th
  6. Wrestling 1952 Helsinki K.D. Managave Feather Weight          4th
  7. Wrestling 1960 Rome Madho Singh Middle Weight          5th
  8. Wrestling 1968 Mexico Udey Chand Light Weight          5th
  9. Wrestling 1972 Munich Sudesh Kumar Bantam Weight          4th
  10. Wrestling 1972 Munich Prem Nath Feather Weight          4th
  11. Wrestling 1980 Moscow Mahabir Singh Free Style(48)          5th
  12. Wrestling 1980 Moscow Jagminder Singh Free Style(48)          5th

Besides Olympics, we also had some successes at international level in some of the sports which are not included in Olympics. A brief account of such success is presented below :

a. Cricket : It is a sport which rank very high in popularity among Indian masses. India is a major force in international cricket as it is one of the eight test playing nations in the world. India has produce several top class cricketer over the years and has won several matches against all other test playing countries. Sweetest of those victories being our triumph in III World Cup, England, 1985.

b. Billiards : Billiards, though considered as an aristocratic game and not being very popular among masses is lately gaining popularity India has produced a handful players of International caliber who have won laurels at several international events Geet Sethi and Micheal Frerria are among the present Indian cueists who are respected all over the world for their mastering in this game.

c. Chess : Although the game is supposed to have Asian origins and is being played in India for centuries, it is only recently that we have achieved successes at international levels in this game and can boost of few Indian Grand Masters. Vishwanathan Anand being most celebrated of them.

d. Lawn Tennis & Badminton are although now included in Olympics, but Olympic is not their premier tournament. In international tournaments of tennis and badminton, we have only a few individuals like Krishanana, Amritraj in tennis and Prakash Padukone in badminton who have brought laurels to India.

e. Wrestling : Wrestling too has been a popular sport in India and though successes in this game at Olympics have been limited, we have done fairly well in other international tournaments. India has also produced some great wrestlers among whom names of Gamma and Dara Singh are the most famous.

Thus surveying the last hundered years sports scene, we find the only game where we have had most successes at international level is hockey. It is the game of hockey which can truly be called our national game. To Indian masses, nothing can be more prestigious in sports field than an Olympic hockey gold. Thus, the slipping standards in hockey became a matter of true national concern and it will be worth while to take up the present study which in turn will throw some light in causes of Indian debacle in hockey.

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Origin Of Hockey

Posted on February 19th, 2008 by Pushpinder

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What is hockey ? In brief the hockey is a game of earth, not of air, to played with stick and ball. (Gulzara Singh ,1995)

Hockey is a game of intricate manoeuvres, delicate turns, skillful footwork, stamina and endurance. It is a game of individuals skill and brilliance, finally meshed in with coordinated team work ( Kanwal, 1995 )

It is believed that hockey is the oldest game in the world .According to historians, it had deep roots in Persia where it was played as crude form as long as 2000 B.C. The game was acquired by the Greeks, who in turn passed it on to the Romans. A discovery made in Athens in 1922 gives reasons to believe that form of stick game came from the East. This was a relief found in a wall built by Athenian politician named Themistocles ( 514-499 B.C. ) which depicts six youths taking part in a game resembling shows that is termed face off or bully in the modern game, but with the hooked sticks pointed downward instead of upward. It is also claimed that the Red Indian tribes of America played a game which resembled hockey thousands of years ago. This sport can also be identified with early games known as Shinty, hurling and bondy. According to historians this game was played in France under the name of hoquer ( it means a shepherd’s stick ). In England the game was known as the hockey, hawkey, hackie, haookey, horkey. In England, hockey was developed about the middle of the last century when it was being played with a cricket ball and oak sticks of no set dimensions.

In 1875, a game resembling present day hockey began to be played in England. The Wimbledon hockey club in 1883 formulated many rules which stayed on for many, many years. Hockey was spread throughout England during this period.
Like cricket, hockey was born on January 18, 1886 ( The real birth day of hockey), the date of formation in London of the Hockey Association. The striking circle and the other rules were made then. Round about this time a few more Clubs were also formed and the game was spread throughout England. In 1895, the first international match was played between England and Ireland. England won match by 5-0.

Calcutta became the first “abode” of hockey in India in 1883. In 1895, the Beighton cup began in Calcutta and the Agha Khan Tournament in Bombay.

Around 1900 an International Hockey Board was established consisting of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. It was very powerful organisation in controlling hockey rules which continues even today. Federation of International Hockey came into existence in 1924. It rarely interferes in the working of the board for obvious reasons.

Now hockey is the third most popular international game after soccer and basketball (Cozier, 1937)

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