Legends honoured, history unveiled as Indian Hockey celebrates 100 glorious years

The centenary celebrations of Indian hockey kicked off at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium early morning on Friday and mirrored across the country with Hockey India, Sports Authority of India and the Sports Ministry coming together to mark the landmark occasion.

The celebrations marked a century of sporting excellence, pride, and unity, honouring the journey of Indian hockey from its beginnings in 1925 through the low points and resurgence in the modern era with sporting and musical performances.

With both the men’s and women’s national teams in attendance along with their coaches, a 30-minute exhibition match between the Sports Minister’s XI led by Mandaviya and Hockey India XI led by Hockey India president and former captain Dilip Tirkey set the ball rolling. It was also perhaps the first time the men and women played together. More fun than competition, the match saw SM XI win 3-1.

Sports Minister’s XI led by Mandaviya and Hockey India XI led by Hockey India president and former captain Dilip Tirkey set the ball rolling. It was also perhaps the first time the men and women played together.
| Photo Credit:
SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR

“The sport has seen many phases and it was through hockey at the Olympics that we showed the world what India can achieve in sports. Indian hockey is once again rising and moving towards another Olympic medal. The government will continue to support our players and the sport in every possible way,” Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said.

“It is an honour for me to stand at the very stadium where I attended my first camp as a young hopeful and played my first major tournament. Today is a tribute to those who laid the foundation for Indian hockey and to every player who has brought glory to the nation,” Tirkey added.

The FIH was represented by its president Tayyab Ikram on the occasion who also tried his hand at taking a few hits on the ground. “Over the past century, India has not only excelled in the sport but has profoundly shaped its spirit, style, and global identity. India has led the way in world hockey through 100 years of resilience and innovation. India’s resurgence in the Tokyo and Paris Olympics shows its strength and I am confident the next 100 years will be even brighter for Indian hockey.”

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Hockey India also felicitated some of the game’s legends for their contributions to the sport including Gurbux Singh, Harbinder Singh, Ajit Pal Singh, Ashok Kumar, BP Govinda, Aslam Sher Khan, Zafar Iqbal, Brigadier Harcharan Singh, Vineet Kumar, Romeo James, Asunta Lakra and Subhadra Pradhan among others.

A commemorative book titled 100 Years of Indian Hockey on the journey through the ages was also unveiled along with a specially-curated photo exhibition providing a visual glimpse into Indian hockey’s evolution through archival photographs, Olympic moments, and memorabilia from the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics to the present day. There was also a performance by singer and composer Siddharth Mahadevan.

The celebrations also had the 2025 FIH Men’s Junior World Cup trophy on display as it began its 20-city nationwide tour that would culminate in Chennai at the end of this month to coincide with the beginning of the tournament. Others present included minister of parliamentary and minority affairs Kiren Rijiju, Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and several former India players across generations.

Published on Nov 07, 2025