NEW DELHI: The iconic Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium came alive on Friday as Indian hockey marked a century of excellence, with legends of the sport, including Olympic gold medallists Gurbux Singh and Aslam Sher Khan, gracing the historic occasion.

Honouring the Legends

Hockey India felicitated some of the game’s most celebrated icons for their enduring contributions and the inspiration they provided to generations of players. Those honoured included Gurbux Singh, Aslam Sher Khan, Harbinder Singh, Ajith Pal Singh, Ashok Kumar, B P Govinda, Zafar Iqbal, Brigadier Harcharan Singh, Vineet Kumar, Mir Ranjan Negi, Romeo James, Asunta Lakra, and Subhadra Pradhan.

Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, joined by Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Thiru Udhayanidhi Stalin, lauded Indian hockey’s illustrious journey and its deep-rooted connection with the nation’s sporting pride.

"The sport has seen many phases, and it was through hockey at the Olympics that we showed the world what India can achieve in sports. We have never looked back since," Mandaviya said.

"With its rich history, Indian hockey is once again rising and moving towards another Olympic medal."

Exhibition Match and Festivities

The centenary celebrations kicked off with an exhibition match between the Sports Minister’s XI, led by Mandaviya, and the Hockey India XI, captained by Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey.

The Sports Minister’s XI won 3-1, with goals from Beauty Dungdung, Salima Tete, and Krishna Pathak, while Manpreet Singh scored for the Hockey India XI. The match featured players from both men’s and women’s national teams and set a festive tone for the day.

Adding to the celebrations was the launch of a commemorative book, "100 Years of Indian Hockey," chronicling the sport’s century-long journey. A photo exhibition showcased rare archival images, Olympic memories, and memorabilia tracing Indian hockey’s evolution from its 1928 Amsterdam Olympics debut to modern achievements.

Nationwide Centenary Celebrations

Tirkey reflected on the emotional significance of the stadium.

"It is an honour for me to stand here at the very stadium where I attended my first camp and played my first major tournament. Today is a tribute to those who laid the foundation for Indian hockey a century ago and to every player who has brought glory to the nation through this sport," he said.

With Tamil Nadu hosting the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup 2025, the trophy was also displayed, beginning a 20-city tour. Extending the centenary celebrations nationwide, over 36,000 players participated in 1,000 exhibition matches across 500 districts, engaging school athletes, veterans, and community teams in a truly national hockey festival.

(With PTI Inputs)