The Story of Major Dhyan Chand

Major Dhyan Chand, also known as the wizard because of his excellent skills in hockey and tremendous control of the hockey ball. He was one of the greatest Indian hockey players of all time. He was very good at scoring goals in hockey and was well known for this talent. He represented India several times at national and international levels.

Major Dhyan Chand being such a great player was called different names by his fans and loved ones. Some called him “hockey wizard” while some called him “magician of hockey”. He became the part of Indian Army at the age of 16 and played hockey there. He used to practice his game at night and therefore his fellow mates gave him the name “Chand”.

In remembrance of his birth anniversary, National Sports day is celebrated every year in India on the 29^th of august. His extraordinary talent of scoring goals during the match made him a well-known player not only in India but also worldwide.

LIFE JOURNEY

Major Dhyan Chand Singh was born in Allahabad and brought up in the Prayagraj district of Uttar Pradesh, India on the 29^th of August 1905. He is the elder brother in the family. His younger brother Roop Chand Singh was also a hockey player. He was the son of Sharadha Singh and Sameshwar Singh.

His father was in the Indian Army. As a kid, he was not inclined towards any kind of sports and neither played hockey in his childhood. He started playing hockey after joining the Indian Army. He started playing hockey during his involvement in the Indian army.

During the years 1922 and 1926, he participated and competed in numerous army hockey tournaments. During the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics, he was called for trials by the then newly formed Indian Hockey Federation.

In that 1928 Olympics, he performed extremely well and scored 14 goals in the match, and became the best performer scorer of the tournament. During his sports career, he was praised by the late batsman from Australia, Sir Donald Bradman.

Life Journey of Major Dhyan Chand

They met when the Indian team (hockey) went to Australia ahead of the 1932 Berlin Olympics. In the year 1956, he got retired from the Indian Army as a Lieutenant after serving for 34 years and that is the reason, he is called “Major Dhyan Chand”.

He was blessed with a lot of talents and inner qualities. His leadership skills, team spirit, focus towards whatever he used to do, in-depth knowledge, and faith in his team member’s abilities are something that is admirable. Along with being a good hockey player, he is been admired as a human being by many people.

He is a true inspiration for the youngsters of today’s generation. He has made his family, friends, and country proud through his game and his kind behavior. Everybody should seek and learn some aspects of his life and try to do at least some bit of it that he has done for this nation.

He is and will always be remembered for his contribution to this nation and will always be called the “magician of hockey”. Through his sportsmanship, he has taught us many things in life, to be focused, concentrated, dedicated, team spirit, and the feeling of nationalism is something that his game has taught.

Every citizen of this country should have this feeling and should make themselves capable enough to do something for this nation in a good way and make the nation proud worldwide as “Major Dhyan Chand” did and for this reason, he is an inspiration for many of us.

HIS ACHIEVEMENTS

Major Dhyan Chand is called as “wizard of hockey” because of his excellent control over the ball. He took retirement from hockey in the year 1948 and till then he has scored more than 400 goals in hockey in his international career, which is a huge number for any hockey player.

He was so good in scoring goals that once during a match in Netherlands, the authorities of the tournament broke his hockey stick in a doubt that there is a magnet inside his stick.

Because of his contribution, India got gold medals in the Olympics Games in the years 1928, 1932, and 1936. During his career, the Indian hockey team was flourishing and his era is called the “golden era” of Indian Hockey.

He was awarded and felicitated by many prestigious national awards by the Government of India. The Government of India awarded him Padma Bhushan which is the third-highest civilian honor in the year 1956. On his birth anniversary, which is celebrated as the national sports day in India, the president of India felicitates many sportspersons every year for their achievements and success.

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Major Dhyan Chand Olympic Achievements

In the 1932 Olympic Games, he and his brother Roop Singh got the opportunity to participate and represent India. In the 1936 Olympic Games, he went to Berlin as a captain of the Indian Hockey Team.

German dictator Adolf Hitler wanted Mr. Dhyaan Chand Singh to be a part of the German military, and also to take the citizenship of Germany, but since he was a nationalist and he loved his country so much, he politely declined his offer.

He is one of the greatest players of all time and we remember him because of his skills and the gentlemanly attitude that he used to carry with himself.

We celebrate National sports day in India in remembrance of him to remember his achievements and glory and his teachings will continue to inspire the young generations of our country always.

His younger brother Roop Singh was also a tremendous hockey player and both the brothers were called as “hockey twins” in the sports field.

Although “Major Dhyaan Chand” played several matches during his career, but according to him the match which he played 1933 “the Beighton Cup” between Calcutta Custom and Jhansi Heroes were his best and the most memorable match of his journey.

He passed away in the year 1979 after living his life for 74 years due to lung cancer but he will be always remembered as the greatest Indian hockey player of all time.