Hockey Wizard, Dhyanchand

HOCKEY WIZARD, DHYANCHAND
– a Centenary Tribute

The nation has celebrated the birthday of Dhyan Singh, the Wizard of the Stick. DHYANCHAND was a simple soldier in Indian Army, when he started showing his talent in Hockey. His deft stick-work and amazing ball-control left fellow players and spectators awe­- struck. It was not speed or power that made him the most prolific scorer. He scored by low gentle pushes. Besides, he set up a high standard of sportsmanship and patriotism.

Even as a boy he showed extra-ordinary skill. Based on his consistently superior performance, ‘D’ was selected for the Indian Hockey Team touring New Zealand in 1926. With every match, his superlative skills and scoring prowess improved. He was selected for the Indian Hockey Team for the 1928 Olympics At Amsterdam (without any trials as an exception). He played centre-forward. India trounced Austria 6-0, Belgium 9-0, Denmark 5-0, Switzerland 6-0, and in the FINALS, Netherlands 3-0 (2 goals by ‘D’). India won the GOLD for the first time! Just before 1928 Olympics, while touring England, he scored 36 goals in 10 matches (Team Score 72).

In the 1932 Olympics At Los Angeles, India Scored 24-1 (8 goals by ‘D’) against USA in the Final. India won GOLD again!! (In the 1935 tour of New Zealand and Australia, he scored 201 goals in 43 matches (Team score 584)

In the 1936 Olympics At Berlin, India faced a robust and dogged defence from Germany in the Finals. In fact, one brutal attack on Dhyan Singh resulted in his losing a tooth. Surprisingly he returned after first-aid and scored 6 goals in a row to defeat Germany 8-1. India Won the GOLD again!!!

In the 1936 World Tour, ‘D’ scored 59 goals (Team score 175) In the East African Tour of 1947-48, ‘D’ scored 61 goals in 22 matches ‘D’ mesmerized millions. He became a house-hold name in all hockey-playing nations and was admired and feared by his opponents. After establishing an unparalleled record in national and international events ‘D’ retired from international matches from early 1948, well before the 1948 Olympics at London.

After personally witnessing the superb performance from ‘D’ at Adelaide, in 1935, the legendary Cricketer Don Bradman commented “YOU SCORE GOALS LIKE RUNS IN CRICKET”!

After the first match at Berlin Olympics, the German news papers displayed head lines as “THE OLYMPIC COMPLEX NOW. HAS A MAGIC SHOW TOO!” and “VISIT THE HOCKEY STADIUM TO WATCH INDIAN MAGICIAN DHYANCHAND IN ACTION”

After every match played by India, hundreds of spectators would troop down to the players’ enclosure and touch Dhyanchand’s stick,to see what trick it was, that kept the ball glued to his stick as he dribbled his way all over the field.

One European player broke ‘D’s stick to search for a magnet inside! With the new stick also ‘D’ displayed his usual scintillating game! The great Pakistani player, Dara, praised him as “THE ONE WHO EMPLOYED MINIMUM OF PERSPIRATION AND MAXIMUM OF INSPIRATION”. In Holland and Germany, his name appears among “THE GREATEST OF THE GREATS”. In Vienna his statue was erected with “FOUR HANDS, WITH A STICK IN EACH” symbolising his total control of the game.

Dhyan Singh’s brother Roop Singh (also an Olympian) recalled that at a match in Munich, after a particularly heavy lunch, Indian team missed every chance to score a goal. In a flash, Dhyan Singh took over the situation and without giving a pass to any of his colleagues, SCORED 6 GOALS, ALL BY HIMSELF!!

As the legend goes, after the Final in Berlin Olympics (1936), Adolf Hitler invited the victorious Indian Hockey team for a dinner, where he offered to bestow the title of FIELD MARSHAL on Maj. DHYANCHAND, if he migrated to Germany. Maj. ‘D’ politely declined the offer.

Subsequently, Germans requested him to coach their team offering a fat remuneration. He politely declined that offer also, though he was poor! Years later, when a reputed journalist asked him for the reason, his answer was:

“IF I COACH THEM AND THEN THEY BEAT US, WHERE WILL I HIDE MY FACE?” His patriotism made him sacrifice his own personal gain!

While inviting India for the East African Tour of 1947-48, the host nations insisted “NO DHYANCHAND, NO TEAM PLEASE”.

Stickler to Human Values:
‘D’ was appointed as captain of the Olympic Hockey Team only in 1936. When he was not given that honour earlier, for 1928 and 1932 Olympics, inspite of his reputation for excellent performance, he was not dejected. He took things in his stride which motivated him to play still better. He never made a negative comment against any player, selector or administrator.

When his brother Roopsingh hit a spectator with the ball, instead of shooting it into the goal, ‘D’ reprimanded him humorously. “They do not come here to get hit”!

National Recognition:
The Life-time awards in Sports Viz. “ARJUNA” and “DRONACHARYA” are being given on Dhyanchand’s Birthday, 29 Aug, as a recognition of his contribution to Sports. IOA named him “THE PLAYER OF THE CENTURY”. Government of India had awarded PADMA BHUSHAN to him in 1956. A Postage Stamp was released on 3 Dec 1980, a year after his death. Sports Authority of India (SAI) erected his statue in 1995.

Dhyanchand’s Birth Centenary Celebrations were held at Jhansi during 14-29 August 2005 and tributes were paid by the whole nation.