Essay On Dhyan Chand – ‘The Wizard of Hockey’

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Essay On Dhyan Chand – ‘The Wizard of Hockey’

Dhyan Chand was an Indian field hockey player. He is widely considered as the greatest hockey player of all time. He is most remembered for his surprising goal-scoring abilities. During his playing years, Indian Hockey team won three Olympic gold medals and became the most dominant hockey team in the world.

Dhyan Chand is known as The Wizard’ or the hockey’s jadoogar (magician) for his excellent ball control. He scored more than 400 goals during his international career.

He was born in Allahabad in a Rajput family. His father was in the British Indian army. Dhyan Chand joined the Indian Army at the age of 16. He started playing hockey only after joining the army. Between 1922 and 1926, he played army hockey tournaments. Dhyan Chand was selected for the Indian Army team, which was to tour New Zealand.

The team won 18 matches, drew 2 and lost only 1. The newly formed Indian Hockey Federation was ready to send its best possible team for the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics. Dhyan Chand had attracted attention by his clever stick-work. This assured him a position in the team that took part in Amsterdam Olympics. Dhyan Chand was so magical while playing that many people around the world thought that his stick was made of something else other than wood. Once, Dhyan Chand’s stick was broken to see if there was a magnet inside. In Japan, people doubted that his stick had some kind of glue in it. However, all were proved wrong.

By his high-class play, he helped India in winning gold medals in hockey in Amsterdam Olympics in 1928, Los Angeles Olympics 1932 and Berlin Olympics in 1936. He was the captain of the team during Berlin Olympics. He alone scored 101 goals in Olympic Games.

In 1947, at the age of 43, he led the Indian hockey team to the tour of East Africa. In this tour, Dhyan Chand scored 61 goals in 21 matches that India played. After glorious carrier of 30 years, he said goodbye to international hockey in 1949. For his great successes and contribution to hockey, the Indian Government awarded him the Padma Bhushan. On 3rd December 1979, this magician of hockey died.

Today, Dhyan Chand’s name has become synonymous with hockey. Every year his birthday on August 29 is observed as the National Sports Day.

Essay On Dhyan Chand - 'The Wizard of Hockey'

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