Indian Hockey Celebrates Centenary: Legends Honored, Nationwide Festival Engages 36,000 Players
A grand event in New Delhi marked 100 years of Indian hockey. Union Ministers, legends, and over 36,000 players nationwide celebrated the milestone.
Indian Hockey Marks Century with Grand Celebration and Nationwide Festival
NEW DELHI, November 7, 2025 - The Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium was the epicenter of a historic celebration today as the Sports Authority of India and Hockey India marked 100 years of Indian hockey. The centenary event, which honored a century of sporting excellence, pride, and unity, was attended by Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of Parliamentary and Minority Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju, FIH President Dato Tayyab Ikram, and a host of celebrated hockey legends.
Speaking at the landmark occasion, Dr. Mandaviya highlighted the sport's legacy. "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," he said, asserting the government's commitment to supporting the sport. He noted that the celebration involved over 1,000 matches being played nationwide, with "entire Bharat reveling in this proud moment."
Shri Kiren Rijiju reflected on the game's "long and inspiring journey," congratulating Hockey India for "honouring our greats alongside the current stars." FIH President Dato Tayyab Ikram commended India's leadership in world hockey, calling the resurgence in the Tokyo and Paris Olympics a sign of strength for the future.
Honouring Legends and Nationwide Engagement
A major highlight was the felicitation of celebrated icons, including Shri Gurbux Singh, Shri Harbinder Singh, Shri Ajith Pal Singh, Shri Ashok Kumar, Shri Zafar Iqbal, and Brigadier Harcharan Singh VSM, among others, for their lasting contributions. The day commenced with an exhibition match between the Sports Minister's XI, led by Dr. Mandaviya, and the Hockey India XI, led by Dr. Dilip Tirkey, which ended 3-1 in favor of the Minister's team.
Extending the celebration far beyond the capital, a Nationwide Hockey Festival was organized simultaneously across 500 districts, engaging more than 36,000 players in over 1,000 exhibition matches. This initiative brought together school athletes, veterans, and community teams, transforming the centenary into a truly national celebration.
Dr. Dilip Tirkey, President of Hockey India, paid tribute to those who "laid the foundation for Indian hockey a century ago and to every player who has brought glory to the nation." The event also saw the unveiling of the commemorative book, "100 Years of Indian Hockey," a special photo exhibition, and the display of the FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup 2025 trophy, which marked the start of a 20-city tour ahead of the tournament in Tamil Nadu.
