Indian Hockey & Sansarpur Hockey

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.

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.

Filed under: 4.Indian Hockey and Sansarpur