India celebrated 100 years of hockey excellence with a grand centenary event at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, New Delhi, marking a historic milestone for the nation’s most iconic sport. Organized by the Sports Authority of India and Hockey India, the event brought together sports legends, dignitaries, and players from across the country.
Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya led the celebrations, joined by Shri Kiren Rijiju, Thiru Udhayanidhi Stalin, Shri Suryabanshi Suraj, and FIH President Dato Tayyab Ikram. The event paid tribute to India’s century-long hockey journey — from its first steps in 1925 to its Olympic triumphs and modern revival.
Dr. Mandaviya hailed hockey as the sport that “gave India pride of place at the Olympics,” reaffirming the government’s continued support for athletes and the game’s development. A spirited exhibition match between the Sports Minister’s XI and Hockey India XI ended 3–1 in favor of the Minister’s team, while hockey legends such as Gurbux Singh, Harbinder Singh, Ajith Pal Singh, Ashok Kumar, Zafar Iqbal, and others were felicitated for their lifelong contributions.
The day also saw the launch of a commemorative book, “100 Years of Indian Hockey”, and a special photo exhibition showcasing rare moments from India’s illustrious hockey history.
Extending the celebration nationwide, a Hockey Festival was held simultaneously across 500 districts, engaging over 36,000 players in more than 1,000 exhibition matches. The festivities reflected India’s collective pride in its sporting heritage and a renewed resolve to reclaim hockey’s global dominance.
