Indian Hockey Marks 100 Years with Month-Long Celebration
Legend Gurbux Singh Calls it a ‘Proud Moment’ for the Nation

Hockey India on Tuesday launched a month-long campaign to commemorate 100 glorious years of Indian hockey, celebrating the sport’s unmatched legacy that continues to inspire generations. The centenary celebrations will culminate on November 7, 2025, marking a century since the establishment of the country’s first hockey administrative body in 1925.

The campaign aims to relive iconic moments and pay tribute to the legends who shaped the sport’s rich history—from the golden era between 1928 and 1959 to India’s modern-day resurgence on the global stage.

India’s tryst with hockey glory began at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics, where the national team clinched its first gold medal by defeating the Netherlands. The victory sparked an unprecedented dominance, with India going on to win eight Olympic golds—the highest by any nation in Olympic hockey history.

After a lull during the 1980s and 1990s, Indian hockey witnessed a revival at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where the men’s team, led by Manpreet Singh, secured a bronze medal. The team repeated the feat at the Paris 2024 Olympics, reaffirming India’s return to the top tier of world hockey.

Over the decades, India has also claimed one World Cup title (1975) and multiple Asian Games medals, including four golds, nine silvers, and three bronzes. The women’s team has contributed to the nation’s success with seven Asian Games medals.

Expressing his pride at the centenary milestone, Gurbux Singh, one of India’s oldest living hockey legends at 90, said, “To complete 100 years and that too with this level of tremendous achievements at the world level, Indian hockey stands tall in the world of sport and this occasion surely needs to be celebrated in the most befitting manner. We as Indians ought to be proud of this legacy.”

Known affectionately as the “Professor” by his Pakistani counterparts for his trademark spectacles on the field, Gurbux recalled his memorable journey with the sport. Beginning his career in 1955 under the mentorship of Olympic great Roop Singh, he went on to represent India from 1959 and was part of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics gold-winning team. “Personally, the 1964 Olympic gold followed by the 1966 Asian Games gold will always hold a special place in my heart,” he said.

Reflecting on the sport’s greatest rivalry, Gurbux was unequivocal: “India versus Pakistan—no doubt that was the greatest rivalry of all time. Before the partition, we played as one unit, and after the partition, no European team came close to that intensity. The matches were fiercely fought by both teams.”

Despite the fierce competition, Gurbux emphasized the camaraderie between the players. “There was never any animosity off the field. Many of them were Punjabis who had lived through partition. On the field, we wanted to win, but off it, we respected each other deeply,” he added.

As Hockey India’s centenary campaign unfolds over the coming weeks, the spotlight will remain firmly on the sport’s enduring legacy—a testament to India’s unmatched contribution to the world of hockey.