Blog shared by Prof. Amrik Singh ( Department of Physical Education)

 

 100 Years of Indian Hockey: Glory, Struggle & Revival

The history of Indian hockey is a compelling tale of genius, adversity, and rebirth. It started in the 1920s when the sport was introduced under British rule and swiftly developed into an area of Indian dominance. This led to the historic 1928 Amsterdam Olympics, where India, led by the unrivalled Dhyan Chand, won gold without giving up a goal, starting a golden age that continued through the 1932 and 1936 Olympics and solidifying India's position as the world's most formidable hockey team. Following independence, this dominance only increased as the team won gold medals at the 1948 London Olympics, its first as a free nation, and then achieved incredible victories in 1952 Helsinki, 1956 Melbourne, and 1964 Tokyo.

Despite the historic high of the 1975 World Cup victory, India struggled to keep up with hockey throughout the 1980s and 1990s due to the introduction of synthetic turf, a surface unfamiliar to Indian players and scarce throughout the country, which made the transition from natural grass difficult and widened the gap with nations that adapted faster. At the same time, administrative issues, a lack of modern training systems, and inconsistent team structure further exacerbated the crisis.

Grew more physical, tactical, and fast. This caused a painful decline, which included inconsistent performances and the loss of India’s former Olympic success. There were urgent calls for structural reform. The 2000s began a resurgence. Professional coaching, scientific conditioning, and better grassroots programs started to appear. States like Odisha invested heavily in world-class infrastructure. The Hockey India League brought new energy to the sport, exposing players to international competition and modern game strategies. This created a pipeline of technically sharp and physically strong athletes. This revival reached an emotional high at the Tokyo 2020 Games.

The modern era of Indian hockey is characterized by improved fitness, tactical discipline, sports science integration, and the emergence of new heroes like PR Sreejesh, Manpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, Rani Rampal, and Savita Punia, who have inspired a new generation and helped India regain its position among the top hockey nations in the world. The men's team won a bronze medal at the Olympics, ending a 41year Olympic medal drought, and the women's team made it to the  semifinals for the first time, garnering international acclaim and reigniting the nation's love for    the sport.The past century, which was marked by unparalleled Olympic glory, a challenging       period of decline, and a spirited, determined comeback, serves as a powerful reminder that while greatness can fade, passion, resilience, and reinvention can bring it back stronger than ever.       As such, Indian hockey's 100-year history is not just a chronicle of a sport, but a testament to the enduring spirit of a nation that continues to chase its dreams on the field with heart, pride, and    hope for an even brighter future.