Major Dhyan Chand : Allahanad

Dhyanchand, (born August 29, 1905, Allahabad, India- died December 3, 1979, Delhi), Indian hockey players who were considered one of the greatest players of all time.



Chand is remembered for his three Olympic gold medals (1928, 1932 and 1936) in his goal scoring scoring and field hockey, while India was dominant in the game. He joined the Indian army in 1922 and in 1926 he came to prominence when visiting the New Zealand with the army team. After playing in the Olympic Games in 1928 and 1932, Chand led the Indian team in the 1936 Games in Berlin, in which he scored three goals. Germany's 8-1 defeat in the final match During the victorious world tour of India in 1932, he scored 133 goals. Known as "The Wizard" for his excellent ball control, Chand played his last international match in 1948, in which he scored more than 400 goals during his international career.


In 1956, he retired from the army as Major. His son, Ashok Kumar Singh, was a member of the Indian Olympic Sector Hockey team in the 1970s and scored a winning goal in the 1975 World Cup championship.


Dhyan Chand: 10 interesting facts



Dyan Chand is widely considered to be the best hockey player of all time. His target scoring capability was unprecedented and opposition defenders were often seen as ducks sitting in front of this magician from India.


Chand played an important role in India for winning three consecutive Olympic gold medals in 1928, 1932 and 1936. His birthday is celebrated as National Sports Day in India on August 29, and President Rajiv Gandhi offers prizes like Krishna Chandana, Arjun and the Dronacharya Award on this day.


On their 110th birth anniversary, let's see some interesting facts about the legend.


1. Moon joined the Indian Army at the age of 16 and enrolled in hockey, while she was still nominated. Since Dhyan Singh spent a lot of practice during the night, he was nicknamed "moon" by his fellow players; In the night their practice sessions coincided with coming out of the moon. 'Moon' means moon in Hindi.


2. Dhyan Chand was the leading scorer in the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics, with 14 goals. In a news report about India's victory, it was said, "It is not a hockey game but it is magic." Dhyan Chand is actually a magician of hockey. "


3. Even though Dhyan Chand was involved in many memorable matches, he considered a special hockey match as his best. "If someone asked me what was the best match I would say in full, that it was the Baton Cup final of 1933 between Calcutta Customs and Jhansi Heroes."


4. In the 1932 Summer Olympics, India beat USA 24-1 and Japan 11-1. Dhyan Chand scored 12 goals while his brother Roop Singh earned 13 out of 35 goals in India. This led him to be called 'Hockey Twins'.


5. Once Dhyan Chand did not score in a match, he debated the match referee about the goal post. In everyone's amazement, he was right; The target post was found in violation of the official minimum width prescribed under international rules.


6. After the first match of India in the 1936 Berlin Olympics, people watching the events of other sports reached the hockey stadium. A German newspaper took a banner title: 'There is now a magic show in the Olympic campus.' There were posters in the entire Berlin city: "Visit the Indian stadium to see the Indian magician Dhyanchand in action."


7. According to comprehensive reports, after impressive performances at the Berlin Olympics, German dictator Adolf Hitler offered a post in Dikhanand German citizenship and German army. This proposal was rejected by the Indian magician.


8. Australian great Don Bradman met Dhyanchand in Adelaide in 1935. After playing them, Bradman commented, "he scored goals like runs in cricket".


9. Dhyan Chand scored more than 400 goals in his career in 22 years (1926-48).


10. Hockey officials in the Netherlands once broke their hockey stick to check whether there was a magnet inside.