Major Dhyan Chand’s 114th Birth Anniversary: Interesting Facts to Know About the Hockey Wizard on National Sports Day 2019
Dhyan Chand played as a centre-forward in his entire career. In the 25 years (nearly) that he devoted to the game, there were rarely a few names in Hockey that matched his calibre, talent, and goal-scoring skills. As India celebrates his birth anniversary today, we at LatestLY, celebrate the legend that was, is, and will always remain, i.e. Dhyan Chand.
Known to be one of the legends in the history of Hockey, Major Dhyan Chand celebrates his 114th birth anniversary on August 29, i.e. today. Chand is considered to be one of the greatest players in Hockey. He was known for his marvellous dribbling abilities, and not to forget the ability to score at will.
Dhyan Chand has been one of the rare monumental players that have graced the sport of Hockey. There have been extraordinary tales about him that have influenced and encouraged generations of sportspersons across the length and breadth of the country. As Dhyan Chand celebrates his 114th birth anniversary today, we take a walk down the memory lane, to see what made the legend a revered figure in Indian history. National Sports Day 2019: From PV Sindhu’s BWF World Championships Win to 2011 Cricket World Cup Victory, Here’s List of India’s Biggest Sporting Achievements in the Last Decade.
1. Dhyan Chand’s birth name was Dhyan Singh. It is believed, he used to practise a lot in the night time, waiting for the moon (Chand in Hindi) to provide the light as there were no good facilities of floodlights in those days. And hence, his fellow teammates gave him the title of Chand.
2. Not many individuals in the world history would have said no to Adolf Hitler. However, when India beat Germany 8-1 in the finals of the 1936 Berlin Olympics, he was offered a senior post in the German Army, but Dhyan Chand politely refused.
3. Dhyan Chand is fondly known as ‘The Wizard’ and the ‘Magician of Hockey’.
4. Not many people know that Dhyan Chand wasn’t inclined to Hockey initially. He had admitted being an ardent fan of wrestling, until he joined Army, where he remembers playing Hockey significantly.
5. As per his autobiography ‘Goal’, it is mentioned that Dhyan Chand scored 570 goals in the 185 matches he played in his illustrious career.
6. It is a little known fact that Dhyan Chand's brother Roop Singh was a hockey player too, and a fine one too. In the 1932 Los Angeles Summer Olympics, the brother duo scored 25 of 35 goals scored by India in that tournament. They were revered so much so that they were given the title of ‘hockey twins’.
7. Dhyan Chand went on to win three Olympic Gold medals – 1928 Amsterdam, 1932 Los Angeles, and 1936 Berlin – in his glittery career.
8. To honour his feats and achievements, Dhyan’s Chand birthday is celebrated as National Sports Day in India as a mark of respect.
9. To commemorate his contribution in the field of Indian Hockey, the Indian government also awarded him with the honour of Padma Bhushan in 1956 – India’s 3rd highest civilian award.
Dhyan Chand played as a centre-forward in his entire career. In the 25 years (nearly) that he devoted to the game, there were rarely a few names in Hockey that matched his calibre, talent, and goal-scoring skills. As India celebrates his birth anniversary today, we at LatestLY, celebrate the legend that was, is, and will always remain, i.e. Dhyan Chand.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 29, 2019 11:51 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).