Indian Hockey to Celebrate 100 Glorious Years with Nationwide Events

IN NEWS:

Indian Hockey to Celebrate 100 Glorious Years with Nationwide Events

ANALYSIS:

1. Context: India is celebrating 100 years of its hockey legacy, marking a century since the formal establishment of Indian Hockey as an organized sport.
2. Scale of Celebration:
   • Over 1,400 matches will be played across 550 districts nationwide as part of the centenary events.
   • The celebrations aim to showcase India’s deep-rooted hockey culture and its contribution to the global sporting arena.
3. Main Event:
   • The Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, New Delhi, will host the main celebration starting at 08:30 AM.
   • The event will feature special performances and tributes highlighting the sport’s rich heritage.
4. Exhibition Match:
   • A 30-minute exhibition match will be played between the Union Minister’s XI and Hockey India’s Mixed XI (Men & Women).
   • The match emphasizes gender parity, teamwork, and inclusivity, involving elite players from both the men’s and women’s national teams.
5. Honouring Legends:
   • A felicitation ceremony will recognize legendary players for their contribution to Indian hockey.
   • The event will also see the release of an official commemorative volume titled “100 Years of Indian Hockey.”
6. Photo Exhibition:
   • A large-scale photo exhibition will take visitors through the sport’s century-long journey, showcasing its milestones and icons.

STATIC PART (For UPSC Relevance):

1. India’s Hockey Legacy:
   • India is recognized as the most successful hockey nation in the world, with 8 Olympic gold medals and 13 total Olympic podium finishes.
   • Indian hockey’s dominance began during the early 20th century, symbolizing national pride and excellence.
2. Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium:
   • Named after Major Dhyan Chand, India’s legendary hockey player, often regarded as the “Wizard of Hockey.”
   • Located in New Delhi, the stadium regularly hosts national and international tournaments.
3. Hockey India:
   • The governing body for both men’s and women’s hockey in India.
   • Works under the International Hockey Federation (FIH) and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to promote the sport nationwide.

Updated – 07 Nov 2025 ; 08:15 AM | News Source: All India Radio News (newsonair.gov.in)