Major Dhyan chand- Magician of hockey.
In this article I have explained about the famous hockey personality Major Dhyan Chand. The article includes the life of Dhyan Chand and his achievements. Why he is known as magician of hockey all is mentioned in this specific article.
About Dhyan chand
Major Dhyan chand was born on 29 august, 1905 in Allahabad. He belongs to Rajput family. His father was in Army and he has two brothers named Mool sing and Roop singh. Roop singh was also his team player in hockey. At the age of 16 Dhyan chand joined Indian army. He used to practise the game after working hours during the night. He wait for the moon to come in sky for light purpose. So he was named as 'chand' means moon. Entery to hockey team
Major Dhyan chand played for army hockey tournaments and regimental games. He starts playing hockey in 1920s. For his good playing activity he got selected for army tournaments which is tour to New zeland. Here he played very well and amazed everyone. In New zeland tournament the team won total 18 matches and lost only a single match. Due to his incredible skill he was promoted to Lance Naik(rank equal to lance corporal and below to Naik). He played for United provinces and won the match and it was his first civilian match. His work with stick is very impressive. After all his performances he take place in olympic team. In a match he sticks three goals in last four minutes and won the match. His achievements in Olympics
He played first olympic in Amsterdam in 1928. This magacian scored 2 goals against Netherland and won the gold medal. On 1932 olympic held in Los angeles he scored 8 goals out of 23 goals. The match gives gold to India by defeating USA in 23-1 sequence of goals. On 1936 olympic held in Berlin team defeated france with 10 goals and go to finals. In final against Germany India scored only one goal in first half but in 2nd half Dhyan chand played with barefoot and India won the gold with 8-1 sequence. He retired in 1948 and Don bradmen commented " Dhyan chand scores goal like runs in cricket". His last moments
In his great career he scored 1000 goals. He retired from army in 1956 at the age of 51 and start coaching for sometime. He had faced shortage of money after retirement. This is very sad moment to us he had developed a liver cancer. The magecian of hockey died in 4 dec, 1979. He is great legend in hockey history. His contribution is amazing and unforgettable to Indians.
Appreciation for author who brought out the memory of hockey legend Major Dhayn Cand. He also tried to give enough details in limited words but it really don't deserve small article for this great man. I would like to put some more interesting fact about this legend.
Major Dhyanchand was known for superb control over the ball. People says that when he used to run with the ball, the ball used to stick with his hockey stick. As if the ball was following his order. That's why he was known as "The wizard" and "Magician".
In 1936 Berlin Olympic, he was brought the crowd under his feet with his magical playing. Crowd loved it and some one from the crowd put a banner calling him "Magician". The very next day all the leading newspaper in Berlin had headlines, " visit the Olympic to watch the action of Indian Hockey magician Major Dhayan Chand in action."
Adolf Hitler was so impressed with his playing that he offered Dhaynchand to move to Germany. He even offered him the post of "Colonel" in his army. But it was decline by the legend.
In 1935 at Adelaide cricket great Don Bradman meets Hockey great Dhaynchand. After watching his playing Sir Don Bradman commented, " he is scoring goal like scoring run in cricket".
In Holland, the authority people broke his stick to check if it has any magnet inside it.
No matter people will remember hockey or not but still remember the man Dhyanchand, his name is still known to school kids and this is the greatest tribute to him. We have not seen this great man in action but his story tells every truth about him.