Sports
Personalities
Athletics
Dalip Singh (April
27,1899)To the late Brigadier Dalip Singh goes the credit
of being the first Sikh to represent India in the Olympics.
The 1924 Olympic Games were held in Paris in which India
sent a contingent of seven athletes. In this seven-man squad,
two Sikhs, Dalip and Palam made their debut.
The Sikh had missed the
bus only four years ago when six Indian athletes had participated
in the 1920 Antwerp Olympics. Dalip Singh could not have
made to the Paris Olympics Games but for the patronage and
help coming in from the late Magarajadhiraj Bhupinder Singh
of Patiala. It may be recalled that Dalip Singh besides
being a fine athlete was a good hockey player also. When
the trails were to be held at Lahore (now in Pakistan) for
the Paris Olympics, Dalip Singh was scheduled to play for
Patiala Tigers, a hockey team. It was here that the Maharaja
of Patiala came to recognise his worth and helped him take
a well-deserved place in the seven -man athletic team. It
is true that the team then did not bring home any laurels,
but it is on record that two among the Indian athletic performed
really well, and one of them was Dalip Singh. In the long
jump event, he narrowly missed a mark which could have earned
him a place among the first six.
Another honour which went
to Dalip Singh was that he was the first Indian, a Sikh,
to be the torch-bearer at the inaugural Asian Games at Delhi
in 1951.Born at Dolon village district, Dalip Singh had
his schooling in Mission School, that he joined Forman Christian
College and Law College, Lahore. Even at School he showed
potential of a good sportsman, nay all-rounder. In fact,
he emerged as a fine athlete, showing great skill in 100,200,440
yards, 120 yards hurdles and long jump during the university
days. He played hockey and cricket too.But he got the real
breakthrough when he was selected to represent India in
the 1924 Paris Olympics he was the captain of the Indian
athletic team.
In fact, Dalip Singh can
be described as a very distinguished man, In World War II,
Dalip served the Patiala Infantry. He had joined the Patiala
army in 1924. For his services, he was awarded M.B.E ( Medal
for British Empire).
Milkha
Singh
Milkha Singh can be described
as one of the most extraordinary athletes of our times.
Milkha Singh was a genius and a genius is never trained.
W
thout
any formal training, without any financial reward and without
any emotional support (he lost his parents during Partition
and he had only an elder brother and a sister to look for
help) Milkha Singh took on the greatest athletes of his
time and proved himself as good if not better. The burst
of speed with which he broke the previous Olympic Games
record of 5.9 seconds in 400 meters is now a part of folk
lore in Punjab. The fairy tale is repeated as part of Punjab's
rich heritage. Milkha is no less popular than Pele in Brazil
and Maradona in Argentina. Generation after generation in
India will remember fondly his exploits with which he set
the tracks ablaze whenever and wherever he ran. Rarely has
it happened in the Olympic history when so many athletes
went on to break the greatest race of his time, this he
had to, since he had to, since he had on blocks with him
world's greatest athletes of his time. Who would have dared
to challenge their might, expect Milkha, who though respected
them yet never feared them. He simply ran-SUPERB.
In the first heat in the
Rome Olympics in 190 Milkha Singh clocked 47.6 seconds to
finish second. In the second round heat Milkha cut off a
few second to finish second to Karl Kaufman of Germany with
a timing of 46.5 seconds. In the semifinal Milkha ran shoulder
to shoulder with Ottis Davis of the USA to Finnish once
again second but he further clipped a few more seconds from
his early timing (45.9) .In the final Milkha Singh went
off the blocks and took an early lead. Midway he slowed
down a bit. This proved his undoing because other athletes
went past him. Realising his miscalculation, Mikha drew
out every ounce of energy for the final burst but failed
to retrieve the lost ground. How fiercely was the race run
by runners of such high order can be gauged from the fact
that the winner Ottis Davis and Kaufman clocked 44.8 seconds
to finish first and second in 400 meters while Mel Spence
of South Africa timed 45.5 seconds to finish third. Milkha
Singh who actually led the pack was untimely fourth, timing
45.6 seconds, a difference of just 0.1 second from the bronze.
Thus upto the final he clocked 47.6, 46.5, 45.9 and 45.6
seconds, clocking a better timing in every outing.
Talking about the race Milkha
Singh explained that he found himself running at a reckless
speed in the initial stages of the race. Thus he tried to
slow down a bit and this proved to be a big error of judgement
on his part. Pitted against athletes of such high class
only a small error separated the winner from the loser.
Twenty eight years have
passed since Milkha hung his spikes yet no athlete has ever
gone nearer Milkha's magical timing. He was a product of
that time when no facilities existed, no coach available,
no reward offered and no job secured, yet armed only with
an iron will and the will to draw his own course, Milkha
reversed the movement of the wheels of destiny.
Born at Layallpur, now in
Pakistan, on October 8, 1935, Milkha Singh shot into limelight
during the National Games at Patiala in 1956. Two years
later he shattered the 200 and 400 meters record in the
National games at Cuttack. The same year he established
new records in the 200 and 400 meters in the Asian games
at Tokyo. He followed it up with a gold in the Commonwealth
Games at Cardiff in 1958. How did he come to be known as
the "Flying Sikh"?. Milkha Singh was participating
in the Indo-Pak duel meet at Lahore when he outran Asia's
most celebrated athlete in the 200 meters, Abdul Khaliq
of Pakistan. It was said that Milkha did not run the race
but he flew.
Milkha Singh is sad to find
that his exploits and achievements have not gone so far
to inspire the younger generation. He is critical of the
young athletes who aspire to reach the top via short cut
and refuse to sweat out in the field. The government offers
a number of facilities, there are a number of awards and
scholarships, professional colleges offer seats to sportsman,
jobs are secured for them, yet sportsmen of high order never
emerge. It is the age of mediocrity.
Milkha Singh is, at present,
Additional Director of Sports and Youth Programme, Education
Department. Married to former international player, Nirmal,
he has one son and three daughters. His son, Chiranjeev
Milkha Singh, is a top golfer and represented India in the
Beijing Asian Games in 1990.
Hardly anyone knows in India
why Milkha Singh was so popular in the 1960 Rome Olympics.
The moment he would enter the stadium, the people would
cheer him most enthusiastically. After all Milkha Singh
was not the world's top athlete, no doubt he was among the
top runners in the world. Though Rome saw the assembly of
top athletes, yet no athlete could draw as much response
from the crowd as Milkha Singh.
The real reason for Milkha
Singh to be extremely popular among the people was that
Milkha Singh had long hair and beard. People in Rome had
not seen any athlete with a hair do on his head. They thought
the man was a saint. So they wondered how a saint could
run so fast. In addition to that none in Rome had any knowledge
about Sikhism. The people often came to Milkha Singh and
asked why he grew long hair. What is a Sikh, what is Sikhism,
they hardly understood anything about the young religion.
Milkha Singh enlightened them as much as he could. Yet the
people remained as curious as ever.
Besides, Mulkha Singh had
embarked on a European tour before landing in Rome. He had
won a number of races on route to Rome. Since he had made
some of the top athletes lick the dust in a number of competitions,
his popularity had spread far and wide even before he reached
Rome. In the Olympics too Milkha Singh ran true to his form
and ruined the reputation of some of the established stars.
Almost all Sikh athletes and sportsmen tied a handkerchief
on their hair-do since 'patka' was unknown in those days.
Thus Milkha Singh 's different headgear and his athletic
exploits made him the darling of the crowd both on and off
the track. Milkha Singh himself admits that he was popular
because of being a Sikh. The long hair and the bread fascinated
the Romans.
Milkha Singh had so much
conditioned himself that at any given time and place he
could run two races in a day. This superiority of strength
had enabled him to win a number of races in the world. However,
this superiority did not stand him in good stead at Rome
for the simple reason that there was a gap of two days between
semifinal and final races. This made Milkha Singh nervous.
He felt very dispirited and off-colour. A day before the
race Milkha Singh felt disturbed . But at that time a Punjab
minister, Mr Umrao Singh, Who was the then president of
the All-India Athletics Association,came into his room and
took him out for fresh air. This eased the tension a bit
and his mind was taken off the competition. The minister
took him to some of the wonderful places of the city of
Rome and later dropped him at his hotel.
Though Milkha Singh was
feeling normal the next day, luck did not help him a bit.
While other top athletes got better lanes, Milkha Singh
was placed in the fifth. The lot put a German athlete in
the first lane, the American in the second, a Pole in the
third and South African in the fourth while the second German
athlete was placed in the sixth lane. According to Milkha's
assessment, the German was the weakest of all the other
athletes. Thus being in the fifth lane, Milkha could only
see the second German athlete. Thus a weak athlete in front
was no advantage.
Therefore, Milkha Singh
took off the blocks with a great burst of speed, and managed
to lead the pack within 200 metres. But Milkha Singh was
running at a dangerously fast speed, so he thought of slowing
down a bit. As soon as he checked his speed, in a flash
three runners, he failed to erase the deficit of five or
six yards in the last 100 meters. Since he found it impossible
to catch up with the first two athletes, Milkha Singh tried
to outpace South Africa's Melcolm Spence whom he had beaten
in the Commonwealth Games. But as ill-luck would have it,
Spence got himself into the first two runners and Milkha
found himself unable to catch up with. Almost all the first
four athletes crossed the line one after another. It was
a photo finish. Thus the announcement was held up. When
the film was washed and the results were announced, the
world of Milkha Singh lay shattered. In sheer despair Milkha
Singh took to drinking to drown his disappointment. No matter
how hard he tried he failed to remove the scar of defeat
from his mind.
Two events stand out clear
in the life of Milkha Singh, one the Partition when his
parents were butchered, and second the defeat at Rome. Therefore,
when an invitation came Milkha Singh's way to run in Pakistan,
he was not enthusiastic about it. He hated the place for;
he had lost his parents and other relatives in a traumatic
experience. However, he was persuaded to run against Asia's
best runner, Abdul Khaliq of Pakistan. Khaliq was the best
runner that Pakistan had produced and he had a string of
victories in the 200 metres in Asia.
But as the 200 meters race
began, Milkha Singh outpaced the Pakistani from the word
`go' and won in one of the most convincing manners. The
people were wonder struck at the pace at which Milkha Singh
had run the race. It was announced that Milkha had not run
but had flown. It was during this race that Milkha Singh
earned the `title' of the "Flying Sikh." The whole
stadium was packed to capacity and the people had gathered
to se the key contest between two of Asia's finest runners.
So when the Indian runner breasted the tape, the 30,000
burqa-clad women uncovered their faces to have a clear view
of the Sikh wonder athlete . Milkha Singh was taken to the
VIP gallery and introduced to Pakistan President General
Ayub who was himself present at the stadium in Lahore.
Milkha Singh was awarded
the prestigious 'Padam Shri' by the President of India in
1958 when he won the gold medal in the British and Commonwealth
Games till now.All medals and trophies won by Milkha Singh,
including the running shoes with which he broke the world
record, blazers and uniforms have been donated by him to
the National Sports Museum at the Jawajarlal Nehu Stadium,
New Delhi.Milkha Singh has keen desire to witness an Indian
athlete win a gold Medal in the Olympic Games, a target
which just slipped away from his hand by slight error of
judgement.After retirement Milkha Singh wants to set up
an athletic academy in or around Chandigarh so that he can
end the draught of top athletes.
Cricket
1. Lall Singh :
Born Dec. 16, 1909; HAD THE HONOUR OF PLAYING INDIA
'S FIRST TEST One Test,2 innings, 44 runs,29 h.s. avge.
22.00 one catch and no bowling.
2. Yadavindra Singh
: (MAHARAJA OF PATIALA)
Born : January 17, 1913. Died June 17, 1974 at the Hague.
Played one Test against England at Madras in 1933-34 scoring
60 and 24 runs and held two catches. No bowling.
3. A.G.S. Kirpal
Singh
Born: August 6, 1933, Living in Madras, son of
A.G. Ram Singh and elder brother of Test player A.G. Milkha
Singh. 14-20 -5-422-100 * 28.13 1244 1518 75 584 10 58.40
3/43. Scored a century on debut in Tests:
4. A.G. S. Milkha
Singh
Born December 31,1941 at Madras 4-6-0-92-35 15.33-2
6 balls 2 runs, no wickets.
Bishan Singh BediOn
a winter evening in 1979, a cricketer after a strenuous
workout session was returning to a pavilion in Delhi when
suddenly three small boys hardly in their teens, with muddy
faces whispered his name and then giggled. The man at once
broke his company, gave an 
affectionate pat on each head and then shook their rough hands
as the juvenile souls stood dazed in amazement.
While travelling in a train, an up-and coming cricketer
jokingly asked this man why he was carrying a bat which
was of little use to him as he batted at the end for a few
seconds, sometimes playing just a ball or two. Smilingly,
the man obliged the young cricketer who stood surprised
at the former's gesture.
After finishing his assignment
with a country club in England, this man on his way back
purchased a set of wicket-keeper a gloves for a promising
lad, son of a groundsman, on his own.
A Mohammedan boy lay ill
in a Karachi hospital a few years ago with no hope of survival.
The reason? Blood group 'O' was available neither at hospital
nor was anybody ready to donate a few drops to save his
precious life. Suddenly the boy's parents got an anonymous
cal. Startled, the parents asked who he was. The voce at
the other end said:"A man." In a few minutes the
man appeared on the scene for donating his blood to save
the life of someone who did not belong to his faith even.
Who was this man, involved
in some out ---of the book incidents cited above? Certainly,
he was none other than Bishan Singh Bedi, one of the all-time
greats in the annals of international cricket. India has
produced bowlers, say spinners of great merit but Bedi had
no peers, he was a cut above the rest.
A bowler of extra-ordinary
potential with extra-ordinary sight, a fine patka over his
long hair wound in a knot at the to. Bedi bowled and baffed
many a great bat in the world. In a clockwork precision,
Bedi bowled overs as no other bowler would do, maintaining
a computerised length and direction, weaving a magic web
with his vicious deliveries around the players' legs. He
razed to dust the reputation of some, while he made other
stalwarts look pedestrians before him. He flighted the ball
giving a lot of air to it. Batsmen who plundered runs at
will before, were suddenly found lacking in the art and
science of the game when Bedi came to bowl. Great cricketers
like Australia's Doung Walters found himself many times
bowled lock, stock and barrel by a slow orthodox Bedi delivery
that on view seemed perfect for a six. John Edrich, onedown
batsman for England for a pretty long time, failed to complete
the century, once, falling to a Bedi delivery which spun
in viciously after pitching. It is on record that Bedi finished
the career prematurely of some fine cricketers in the game.
But the more he was ruthless on the field the more he was
gentle and humane off the file. The honour of the country
remained always dear to him, nothing could distract him
from his goal. When the traditional test cricket faced danger
from Australian T.V. tycoon Kerry Packer, Bedi defied the
million dollar-offer and single-handedly held aloft the
flag of Test cricket.
Bedi is and was a great
crusader. Following principles of morality and merit, he
dared defy the authority of all mortals. He vehemently attacked
those he found stooping below the level of sportsmanship.
He fought many a battle, no matter whether he won or lost.
May 11 would go down in history as the Red Letter day for
Asia as on this day, Bedi spoke from the United Nations
Platform in New York against apartheid in sports practiced
by South Africa. It was for the first time that an Indian
was given the rare honour of addressing the United Nations.
After he was introduced by the then Nigerian Chairman of
the committee as 'one of the finest spin bowlers in the
world', Bedi said:
Indian consider apartheid
in sports practised by South Africa as a negation of the
principles of human dignity.' I call upon all the sports
organisations of the world to work united to end the practice.
The only effective weapon in this direction is for the countries
of the world to sever sporting contracts between their nationals
and the nationals of south Africa. I am aware I have been
chosen for the honour by the committee because of this citizenship
of a country which has been in the vanguard of the international
movement against the evil system of apartheid in South Africa
for several decades. Today apartheid in South Africa has
been abolished.
He has already been awarded
the Arjuna and Padam Shri awards.
Bishan Singh Bedi was born
at Amritsar, the Sikhs' spiritual capital, on September
25, 1946. He finished his schooling unnoticed. But his ability
as a potential bowler came to view only after he joined
Khalsa College, Amritsar. He showed sparks of brilliance
while bowling slow left spinners. Convinced as the captain
was of his class and calibre, Bedi was given long spells
of bowling thus learning the tricks in the trade of spin
bowling. Next year, he joined Hindu College, because the
new institution afforded him a lot of opportunities to shape
himself into a fine bowler. Rightly Bedi enhanced his reputation
and rating on the cricket scene as he gradually rose from
one step to another. From the college to the university
team from Punjab to the North Zone side, Bedi advanced with
effortless ease. The early encouragement, his success and
total commitment to the cause of cricket paid rich dividends.
Often in sweltering heat of the summer, the people saw a
young man in turban bowling alone for hours at a stretch.
Determination and devotion of this kind could not but yield
results later.
Bedi after establishing
his credentials well in the state and zone soon caught the
eye of the national selectors who put him to severe test
against a team led by an all-time great Garry St. A. Sobers
of the West Indies. Thus in the second Test played from
December 31, 1996, to January 5, 1967, at Calcutta, the
people saw a lean figure sporting a bread and turban descending
on the cricket field. Though India lost, Bedi won the hearts
of both spectators and selectors. From the on started the
success story of this fine spinner. As the years went by
Bedi became an integral part of the team. His cricketing
exploits are now almost legendary. He played against all
cricket playing countries : England, Australia, the West
Indies, New Zeeland and Pakistan. With 266 wickets in the
bag, he was at one time the fifth biggest wicket-taker in
the history of the world. At another time some strongly
believed that had he not been sidelined unceremoniously
by the Board of Control for Cricket in India, he would have
gone on to become the top wicket-taker. He led India in
22 Tests in a row which in itself is a record for India
as previously Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi held the distinction
with 21 Tests. Bedi is also the only Indian bowler to claim
over 1500 wickets in first-class cricket.
If Bedi's contribution to
Indian cricket is great, to Delhi it is ever greater. Helping
those with no godfathers is another of Bedi's pastime. He
has helped many a budding player to hit the headlines. In
Delhi, he harnessed cricket potential to a great extent,
making it emerge as the premier side on the national cricket
scene. Convince him of a good cause, whether in sports or
in any other worthy field like collecting funds for the
handicapped, well, Bedi will be in the forefront of all
noble campaigns. And this is what has endeared Bedi to the
public. Even after his retirement from the game, he remains
the heart throb of the millions not only in India but the
world over. Fully subscribing to the Sikh faith and ideology,
Bedi remains a popular figure to the millions of Sikhs in
India and abroad.
Bedi is employed in SAIL
at Delhi.
Navjot Singh
Sidhu
Navjot Singh Sidhu is Punjab's
answer to Tamil Nadh's K. Srikkanth, both India's dashing
opening batsmen and both hard-hitters of the bal. Both cannot
be tied down no matter of what country the pace attack they
are facing, both like to leave the crease to lift the ball
into the stands for glorious sixes, sometimes even on demand.
In the sixties all round Salim Durrani delighted the crowds,
spraying sixes on all sides. In the seventies and eighties
both Srikkanth and Sidhu were the start performers on the
Indian cricket scene. If Srikkanth was a folk hero in Tamil
Nadu, Sidhu is a hero in Punjab.
Sidhu took
to cricket because with his father, the late Bhagwant Singh
Sidhu, the game was a passion. He wanted to see Sidhu as
a top-class cricketer. So he took him everywhere, followed
him like a shadow and ensured Sidhu had a cricket atmosphere
around. From the beginning Sidhu showed great promise. As
the years rolled by he polished his game further and removed
whatever flaws he had in his technique.
Sidhu first represented
the country in England with the under-19 Indian team led
by Ravi Shastry. His performance was satisfactory. But Navjot
Sidhu showed his real class during the West Indies tour
of India. Playing for the North Zone Sidhu first cricket
a century against the West Indies. Later he was included
in the Board President's XI when he scored 70 odd runs.
This ensured him a place in the Indian team. Thus Sidhu
made his Test debut against the West Indies led by Clive
Llyod in 1983. In the years that followed Sidhu had matured
into a fine cricketer.
Navjot hit the maiden test
century (116) against New Zeeland led by John Wright. In
five Test innings Sidhu aggregated 198 at an average of
49.50. So he was able to establish himself as a successful
Test cricketer from Punjab.
But in the three one-day
internationals against New Zeeland Sidhu scored 25,67 and
14 which gave him an average of 35.53. In the 1987 Reliance
Cup Sidhu had time and again hammered the opposition into
submission. However, against the Kiwis he was less authoritative.
At the Cuttack international where he hit 67 runs, he ducked
awkwardly to give a rising catch to wicket-keeper Ian Smith.
It had given rise to the view in certain quarters that Sidhu
was vulnerable against rising deliveries. However, the opinion
was not well founded going by his scores in the Reliance
Cup. In what World Cup Sidhu hit 73 against Australia, 75
against New Zeeland, 51 against Australia again, 55 against
Zimbabwe and 22 against England.
But lately Sidhu has been
in and out of the Indian team. Initially he was not selected
in the Indian team for the Australian tour in 1992 but was
recalled mid-way through the tour. But Sidhu obviously did
not succeed as much as the Board of Control for Cricket
in India (BCCI) wanted him to. Consequently, he was dropped
from the Indian team for the World Cup. However, some strongly
felt that he was unceremoniously axed.
However, Sidhu has still
years of cricket in him. If he keeps away injuries and maintains
his physical fitness, he will most naturally walk into the
national team and don the India cap, rather turban in his
case.
At present Navjot Sidhu
is working as an officer with the State Bank of Patiala.
Football
Inder Singh
The celebrated king of
soccer, striker Inder Singh will go down in the annals of
Indian football as a legend. He has been rightly described
as "Pele' of Punjab.He is one Sikh footballer who has
brought immense glory to the state. Speed and skill were
the chief weapons of his game. He pounced upon the ball
like a panther and when he went on an attacking spree he
put any defence out of gear. He trapped the ball with remarkable
skill and scored from acute angles. It was with this nerve
that in the 1974 National Foorball Championship.
He earned the distinction of leading the Indian football
team thrice. In 1969 he became the first Punjab player to
play in the Asian All-Star team. He was presented the Arjuna
Award in 1969. Inder Singh studied at Government High School,
Phagwara. He attended his first Punjab school soccer camp
in 1959 where the camp-in-charge was Joginder Singh. He
was quick to learn. Form 1959 to 1961 he represented Punjab
in the All India school Games. In 1960 and 1961 he was declared
the best player and highest scorer in the School Games.
In 1962 he joined Leaders Club (Jalandhar). The same year
here presented Punjab in the Santosh Trophy at Bangalore.
In 1963 he was selected in the Indian team which played
in the pre- Olympic meet in Iran and at Calcutta. The same
year he played in the Asia Cup at Tel Aviv where in the
final Israll defeated India 2-0. Then he played in Merdeka
soccer at Kuala Lumpur where India finished second. In 1966
Inder Singh toured Burma and played in theAsian Games at
Bangkok. In 1969 he was named skipper of the Indian team
to play in Merdeka soccer. Next year's Merdeka turned unlucky
for him as he badly injured his knee.
Inder Singh was recalled
to the coaching camp in 1971-72 but could not attend it
because he was not fully fit. In 1973 he again led India
in Merdeka.In 1975 he captained India in the Hakim Gold
Cup tournament in Indonesia. Playing against South Korea,
He broke his right arm.
Since 1975 he has not played
for India. From 1962 to 77 he continuously represented Punjab.
In 1972 he left Leaders Club and joined Jagatjit Cotton
Textile Mills (Phagwara).
Inder Singh who was born
in 1943 has been with the J.C.T. Mills (Phagwara).
Hockey
Udham Singh
Sansrpur village on the
outskirts of Jalandhar is well-known for producing top hockey
players for India. One whose stickwork dazzled and fascinated
the people was Udham Singh, the centre forward in 
many
of India's battles. He could have become the only Indian,
a Sikh, to represent India in five successive Olympic Games
but that was not to be, injury prevented him from acquiring
that honour. Now after Lesile Claudius, he is the only Indian
player who has donned national colours in four successive
Olympics. These were 1952 Helsinki Olympics (under D.S.
Babu) , 1956 Melbourne Olympics (under L. Claudiua) and
Tokyo Olympics (under Charanjit Singh).
Udham singh has been known
to be a versatile forward. He could play at left -inside,
right -inside, centre-forward or click at centre-half position
too. This man has dedicated and devoted his entire life
to sports and still, he maintains himself as fit as during
his heydays. B.S.F. had the hockey team full of renowned
Olympians such as Ajit Pal, Baldev Singh and others. It
is on record that once when his team was trailing in a tournament
he got himself into the playing kit and turned the tables.
Before joining the B.S.F.
he served in the Punjab Police. One thing which surprises
one is how and why so great a player just failed to lead
the country in any Asian or the Olympic Games. His hockey
career spans from 1949 to 1964, and during this period,
he led India thrice, first in 1953 when the Indian team
went on a tour of Warsaw (Poland). Secondly Udham was the
captain on Indian's East African and European tours in 1959.
Last time he led the Indian team on Australian and New Zeeland
tours
.However, giving full recognition
and respect to his services which he rendered to the nation,
the Indian Government awarded him the coveted Arjuna Award.
Following is the full chart
of his hockey career :
| 1949 |
Afghanistan |
| 1952 |
Helsinki
Olympics |
| 1953
(as captain) |
Warsaw
(Poland) |
| 1956 |
Melbourne
Olympics |
| 1958 |
Asian
Games, Tokyo (Japan) |
| 1959
(as captain) |
East
African & European tour |
| 1960 |
Rome
Olympics |
| 1961
(as skipper) |
Ausralia-New
Zeeland tour |
| 1963 |
Leon
(France) |
| 1964
|
Tokyo
Olympics |
Ajit Pal Singh
Ajit Pal Singh was rightly
acclaimed as "one of the best centre halfs in the worlds"
during his time. He led India to a sensational victory in
the third world Cup Hockey
Tournament at Kaula Lumpur in 1975. But next year with practically
the same team he saw India crashing to the seventh place
in the Montreal Olympics Games.
Born on April 1, 1947, Ajit
pal Singh learnt the alphabet of hockey in his native Sansarpur
village, the bastion of hockey during that time. A number
of players from this village had already represented India
in the Olympics and a number of international tournaments.
He first played in an international
hockey tournament at Bombay in 1960. Later he represented
India in Japan in 1966. Having finished his studies at the
school, Ajit Pal Singh joined Layalpur Khalsa College, Jalandhar,
which had honour of a number of star hockey players. Ajit
Pal Singh got the first real break when, as student of B.A.
Part-I, he was selected in the Indian team to play in the
Pre-Olympic Hockey Tournament at permanently on the rolls
of Indian hockey team. Next year Ajit Pal Singh gave a dazzling
show of stickwork in the Mexico Olympic Games. He showed
what a fine sense of distribution he had and how he helped
make the half-line function smoothly. Ajit pal Singh showed
such dexterity and skill at his position that he was included
in the World Hockey teams of 1971,72 and 73. He next represented
India in the 1974 Asian Games at Teheran. Consequently he
was included in the Asian All-Star Hockey XI the same year.
But he reached the pinnacle
of glory in 1975 when he led India to the third World Cup
victory in Kuala Lumpur in the most trying circumstances.
The Punjab Government had borne all expenses prior to the
participation by organising a camp for the team in Punjab.
The whole country was in great jubilation. For the first
time hockey seemed to get priority over cricket in the country.
Ajit Pal next toured New
Zeeland. But in 1976 in the Montreal Olympics Games India
suffered the most humiliating defeat under Ajit Pal Singh
when they finished seventh. No one seemed ready for an answer
what went wrong for, India had fielded practically the same
team which had won the third World Cup title.
Fed up with the Indian show
at Montreal and in view of the mounting criticism in the
country, Ajit Pal Singh retired from the international hockey
scene. However, he continued playing for the BSF where he
was employed as Assistant Commandant. He was also not happy
the way the Indian Hockey Federation managed its affairs
treating the players shabbily off and on the field.
Four years later Ajit Pal
Singh came out of retirement to play in the Champions Trophy
Tournament at Karachi in 1980. That untimely became his
last international appearance for India. Ajit Pal Singh
was awarded the Arjuna Award in 1972.
Ajit Pal Singh shared one
common trait with the late Surjit Singh. He always challenged
the highhandedness of IHF bosses who showed scant respect
for the boys who toiled in the field for the country's honour.
He was very vocal in criticising the IHF working. But as
a player, Ajit Pal Singh was very shrewd, a great schemer
and played hockey in his mind. At present, he owns a Centre-Half
filling station in Delhi.
Surjit Singh
The opinion may be divided
among hockey fans as to who was the best deep defender between
Prithipal Singh and Surjit Singgh.
However,
none can deny that both possessed extraordinary skill, sound
tackling and fine recovery besides unleashing thouderbolts
from the heavy blades of their sticks.
Both served the country
in the Olympics Games and a host of international tournaments
with deep commitment to the game, It was tragic that Surjit
Singh after his retirement from the game, died in a road
accident near Kartarpura in Jalandhar district while arranging
to organise his benefit tie at Jalandhar.
While Surjit Singh was unassuming
and soft spoken, he had great differences with Indian Hockey
federation bosses over the raw deal given to the hockey
players. Like Bishan Singh Bedi in cricket, Surjit always
upheld the player's cause. He was pained to find how hockey
players were treated like 'herd of cattle'. Frustrated and
disillusioned, Surjit Singh hung his stick during the prime
time of his carrer.
Born on October 10, 1951,
Surjit Singh played for Guru Nanak Dev University and later
for Combined Universities team. Being talented he played
a compact game from the very beginning and did not have
to exert much to catch the selectors' eye. Once in the national
team he did not look back and gave dazzling performance
during his short but eventful career during which he became
the players' spokesman. Surjit Singh made his debut internationally
in the second World Cup Hockey Tournament in Amsterdam in
1973. He was a member of the Indian team which under the
leadership of charismatic leader Ajit Pal Singh won the
third World Cup Hockey Tournament at Kuala Lumpur in 1975.
Later, he participated in the fifth World Cup Hockey Tournament,
the 174 and 1978 Asian Games. He once again played under
the leadership of Ajit Pal Singh in the Montreal Olympic
Games in 1976 when Indian hockey nosedived.
Surjit Singh was acclaimed
as one of the best full backs in the world. In 1973 he was
included in the World Hockey XI. Next year he was a member
of the All-Star Hockey XI. Surjit Singh was also the top
scorer-both in the Esanda International hockey Tournament
at Perth in Australia and the 1978 Asian Games.
Surjit Singh served the
Indian Airlines for a few years. Later he joined the Punjab
Police. Surjit was simple but he endeared himself to many
with his pleasing personality. The world was shocked when
it came to know about his death in such tragic circumstances.
However, soon friends and fans got together to form the
Surjit Singh Memories fresh by organising a highly competitive
tournament. With Mr Jagir Puri as its secretary and the
current India hockey captain Pargat Singh as a Vice-President,
the society has not only been organising high-class competition
year after year, it has also been holding camps for junior
boys to make hockey stronger at the grassroots level. The
society's fine functioning has given such impetus to the
game in the region that bright and talented players are
coming up in every age group. What better tribute will be
to Surjit Singh who always considered it a sacred duty to
fight for the cause of hockey and the players' rights.
Pargat Singh
The amazing part of Pargat Singh's personality is that he
looks anything except a defender. He is slim and has less
than average height. He is far away from the picture of
a common defender who is
strongly built
and of good height. But Pargat Singh has not allowed ordinary
physical features to cast a shadow on his standing as one
the best deep defenders that the game has today.
Today, Indian hockey revolves
round his stickwork. He is the most skilful player on the
Indian Hockey scene. He may have a different style and approach
to the game from the past Indian defenders but he carries
one common trait too, like them he is committed to the cause
of hockey and fully devoted. No wonder then that he has
already donned national colours in the Asia Cup, the Asian
Games.
Born on March 5, 1965, at
Mithapur near Jalandhar cantonment, Pargat Singh had his
early education at a village school. Afrerwards he joined
Lyallpur Khalsa College. Jalandhar, which produced players
of the calibre of Ajit Pal Singh and Surinder Sodhi, both
former captains. Soon Pargat Singh showed that he too had
a class of his own. As junior, he was included in the junior
Indian hockey team. That was the kind of inspiration Pargat
Singh needed. Graduating into the senior hockey team was
a natural and smooth process for Pargat Singh who started
emerging as the most talented player. He first represented
India in the 10-nation hockey tournament at Hong Kong.
Pargat Singh's ability as
a defender of high order was quickly realised. Pargat showed
he had fine anticipation, skillful tackling, superb ball
control and excellent power of recovery. But he added a
different meaning to the concept of deep defence. He adhered
to the aggressive, attacking style. He was not content to
sit back, rather stand back and watch. No, he may suddenly
leave the fort and charge into the battle, rattling the
rival forces. The style no doubt had the disadvantage too
for, it left gaps in the defence. But the style yielded
rich dividends too.
In the Champions Trophy
at Perth in Australia, India were trailing 1-5 against Germany
with just six minutes to go, But on that particular day,
Indians did not lose hoped to strike. And strike they did.
One after another India blasted three goals to make it 4-5.
With only a few second to go, Pargat Singh collected the
ball from his own half and ran down the field. Dribbling
and dodging, he tore apart the German defence to sore a
unique goal.
Pargat Singh repeated the
action in the next Champions Trophy and gave India a 3-2
victory over Holland. Soft spoken and unassuming, Pargat
Singh has been India's mainstay. Under his command India
gave often fared creditably. Attack is the best form of
defence, they say, and Pargat is the exponent of this art.
He often carries the fight into the rival camp. Since he
is the captain of the shop, his repeated forays into the
enemy camp, inspire his team-members. He is also leading
India in the Barcelona Olympics. Since Pargat Singh is young,
India can still depend on him for a number of years. Married
recently Pargat Singh is young, India can still depend on
him for a number of years. Married recently Pargat Singh
also Vice-President of the Surjit Singh Memorial Hockey
Tournament Society of which Mr. Jagir Puri is the secretary.
Both are the main pillars of the society.
Lawn
Tennis
Jasjit Singh
Two events deserve to be
recorded in golden letters in the pages of the Indian lawn
tennis history, one was when India made it to the Challenge
Round in 1974 included a Sikh player who had given a magnificent
performance for his team. It was for the first time that
a Sikh was donning India colours in lawn tennis. It is no
secret in India that this game has always been monopolised
by the south, for the obvious reason that better facilities
and the necessary infrastructure for the game exist only
in that part of the country, as still it does. On the national
scene were such names as Vijay Amrithraj, Anand Amrithraj,
Premjit Lal, Jaideep Mukherjee and Shashi Menon. Vijay Amrithraj
by then had already emergd as the undisputed top tennis
player I the country with a string of upsets over such great
names of the game as Stan Smith, and red-haired Australian
Rod Laver, who has the unique distinction of winning the
Grand Salm twice.
Premjit and Jaideep were
then struggling to retain their places in the Indian team.
But new faces were batting with old ones. One such player
who by sheer dint of his complete commitment to the game
managed to make it to the national grade was Jasjit Singh,
the first-ever Sikh to have moved into the Indian team.
During the pre-Independence period lawn tennis no doubt
was a popular sport in the North, thanks to the Patronage
shown by Raj kumari Amrit Kaur. But after the division of
the country, the game had run short of oxygen here. Thus
the entry of Jasjit Singh was simply a tribute to the ability
of this young boy.
In 1974, India played Australia
in the semifinal in India. The Indian line-up was Vijay
Amrithraj, Jasjit Singh and Anand Amritraj, with Vijay and
Jasjit playing singles while Vijay teamed up later with
Anand for the Sikh against Austrialia's Bob Gillitman. In
fact, India would have desired going one up convincingly
with Vijay playing the first single. However, that was not
to be. But hats off to the talented Jasjit who in a see
saw tussle against the Australian notched up the most creditable
victory for India. There as great rejoicing in the Indian
camp. The match had dragged down to the fifth set with both
players trying every trick in their trade. Fortunately,
Indian ultimately won the tie moving second time in the
Challenge Round. Elated over the victory, Vijay commented
"Jasjit gave us a fine lead of which India took full
advantage. He played marvellous."
So that was Jasjit Singh
for India. Jasjit Singh is the only Sikh to have played
in all the Grand Slam championships-the French Open, the
Wimbledon, the U.S. Open and the Australian Open Tennis
Championships. His achievements include victories over many
great names in the game. For instance, his victory over
Tony Roche, who many times was a semi-finalist at the Wimbledon.
Then he had victories over American Davis Cup player Brian
Gottfried, Ross Case, Kim Warwick and Mika Estep. Estep
had beaten India's Vijay Amrithraj. Jasjit was ranked '70
in ATP ranking in 1974.
Jasjit Singh later settled
down in New York, employed as Tennis Director at Grossinger
Hotel and Country Club, Grossinger, New York.
Table
Tennis
Manjit Singh
Dua
The player who had dominated
the Indian table tennis for the longest ever period is Manjit
Singh Dua, the stylish left-handed from New Delhi were he
was born and raised. There has hardly been any player in
the annals of Indian table tennis who has enjoyed such a
long innings.
Embarking on the international scene, Manjit Dua has left
a long trail of personal glory with achievements galore
in his career. He carved out many notable victories with
his close-to-the table fast attacking game. His variety
of 'serves' backed by nimble footwork, accurate and sharp
anticipation upset the apple cart of many a heavyweight
in the game.
Early in his life Manjit
might have derived some inspiration from his elder brother
Rajinder Singh Dua who played the game. But it soon became
obvious that young Dua was destined to scale greater heights.
Forgetting other frivolities which occupy sometimes a growing
mind, Manjit put his heart and soul in the game and concentrated
on it in the right earnest.
Slowly Dua built up his
game on a sound footing. Now he started executing good strokes.
He developed accuracy on both backhand and forehand. His
drives were powerful and his blocks perfect, leaving the
ball dead on the table in some obscure corner.
Dua soon caught the public
eye. In 1967 he was selected in the Delhi table tennis team.
This was the first recognition of his talent. From then
on Dua went on from strength to strength, bringing in more
depth to his strokes, polish and power. The result was that
now Dua was that now Dua was considered a star on the national
table tennis circuit.
He got the real break in
1973 when he was chosen to lead Delhi for the first time.
The honour perhaps inspired the young star so much that
he steered himself to success after success. He first captured
the North Zone table tennis title at Jalandhar with sparks
of brilliance. But more was yet to follow that year. Following
up his North Zone success, he caused a flutter when he overpowered
Mir Kasim Ali, the reigning champion, to crown himself as
the new table tennis champion. Dua was the first Sikh player
to have achieved that honor.
It would be safe enough
to say that from that year onwards, Dua went on to win name
and fame in the field of table tennis both at home and abroad.
Next year although Dua failed
to retain the national title, he on account of his good
performance throughout the year was ranked number one in
the country. Dua failed still next year despite speculation
in table tennis circle that he would emerge champion. And
he became the champion in 1976.
Dua kept leading Delhi
in all the major tournaments .In 1974 and 80 under his captaincy,
Delhi won the team title in the National Table Tennis Championships.
In 1979 Manjit once again
wrested the national table tennis title for the third time.
All through the years, he had been defeated only in the
semis or final. Never throughout his life defeated only
in the semis or final. Never throughout his life has he
been upset in the earlier rounds. For instance, in 1981
when the country once again expected him to win the title
for the fourth time, he succumbed to Kamlesh Mehta in the
semis that later easily lost to V. Chandershekhar in the
final.
Since 1973 when Dua became
the national champion for the first time, he has been representing
India in all the major table tennis tournaments all over
the globe. In the Commonwealth T.T. Championship at Bombay
(India) in February, 1982, Dua won a bronze medal in the
men's singles event. He has taken part in all Waterloos
for his country, in the Asian, the Commonwealth and the
world Table Tennis Championships. People have often wondered
at his peak form, psychological built-up with extreme physical
fitness which he has maintained for an incredibly long time.
Declared as the best sportsman of Delhi 1974 besides ranked
number one in the country, Dua was also awarded the Arjuna
Award the same year.
Manjit Dua's performance
at a glance:
1. National champion in
1973, 76 & 79.
Ranked Number one in 1974 in the country.
2. Had been representing
Delhi since 1967.
Captained Delhi in the National T.T. Championships in 1974
& 80 which won the team title.
3. Had won all major tournaments
of the country.
4. Captaining Delhi in all
the major championships since 1973.
5. Represented India in
the Asian T.T. Championships at china, DPR Korea, Malaysia,
Japan, Calcutta and Indonesia and the Commonwealth T.T.
Championship at Cardiff (Wales), Melbourne (Australia),
Edinburg (Scotland) and Bombay (India) and the World Championships
at Calcutta (India) and the world Championships at Calcutta
(India). Brimingham (U.K.), Jarajevo (Yugoslavia), Pyongyong
(DPR Korea), and Novisad (Yugoslavia).
6. Played in international
tournaments in the USA, Canada, Germany, Iran, Swedan, Nepal,
Japan and South Korea.
7. Best Sportsman of Delhi
in 1974.
8. Winner of Arjuna Award
in 1974.9. Bronze medal winner in the men's singles in the
commonwealth T.T. Championship at Bombay in 1982.
Sports
Administrators
Yadvindra Singh
(1913-74)
His Highness the late Maharaja
Yadvindra Singh was a multi-faceted personality. In the
field of sports he started from where his illustrious father
had left. Maintaining high sporting traditions of his family
Yadvindra Singh worked for sports with such courage, conviction
and zeal that sports soon found itself on a firm footing
in his time. Graceful and handsome, he was a towering figure.
On the way he was dogged by many hurdles yet he advanced
on his royal march. He reared many sports organisations
and gave right direction to them. He was not only a fine
cricketer and an able sports administrator, but he was,
Yadvindra Singh showed his skill in a number of spheres,
besides sports. This may have something to do with his early
experience.
Yadvindra Singh studied
at Aitchison College, Lahore. Later, he was also trained
at the Police Training Centre, Phillaur. He conducted the
state affairs in the absence of his father. It must be mentioned
here that it was he who played a key role in the integration
of the country during the turbulent period of partition
in 1947 when many princely states had raised the flag of
revolt against the Indian Union. The Indian government gave
full recognition to him and he, along with Mr Krishana Menon
represented India in the United Nations and UNESCO.
As a cricketer, he earned
the India colours. From 1939 to 60 he remained Chairman
by his younger brother Raja Bhalindra Singh, who died in
1992.
Durng his time he was also
Ambassador to the Netherlands. It was during that period
that India recorded the sensational World Cup victory over
their arch hockey rivals Pakistan in Amsterdam.
Raja Bhalindra
Singh (1919-1992)
The House of Patiala has
not only been known for patronising sports, but it has also
been credited with producing great sportsmen and administrators.
No household throughout India can match the pioneering work
done by the Patiala family. Both Yadvindra Singh and Bhalindra
Singh only followed a course which their ancestors had set
for them.
Popularly
known as Raja Sahib both in sports and political circles,
Raja Bhalindra Singh belonged to a rare breed of sports
administrators. Sports was not a pastime for him but a passion
and with passion he pursued it throughout his life. He was
still batting when the innings folded up for him.
The Raja did not possess
a sports mind only. He himself was a fine rider, a good
cricketer and a fine tennis player. He had the distinction
of donning Cambrige University colours Besides, he wielded
the willow in the Ranjit Trophy as member of the Southern
Punjab team.
But his real break came
when he was elected life member of the International Olympic
Committee in 1974. At that time his own brother, both were
born of different Ranis, Maharaja Yadvindra Singh, was President
of the Indian Olympic Association.
From 1959 to 1975, he held
the position of President of the IOA. There was a gap after
this. But the Raja once again occupied the old seat of the
chief of the IOA. He held the post till 1984. In between,
the 1982 Asian Games were organised by India in New Delhi
under his patronage. But raja Bhalindra Singh did not confine
his interest only to the IOC or the IOA, but he was equally
associated with athletics, swimming and hockey. A product
of famous A product of famous Aitchison College, Lahore,
Raja Bhalindra Singh remained President of the Patiala Union
Olympic Association till 1957. Till 1960, he was the Vice-President
of the Punjab Olympic Association. He had been President
of the Amateur Athletics Federation of India since 1953
and continued in his post till the 80s. In 1964 Tokyo Olympics
Games he was appointed che-de-mission of the India contingent.
The Government honoured
his with the Padma Bhushan Award in recognition of his services
to sports. But that was not the only award that came his
way. He was also given the 1982 International Distinguished
Service Award by the US Sports Academy, having its headquarters
in Mobile (Alabama)
Raja Bhalindra Singh also
dabbled in politics for a short period. He was elected to
the Punjab Legistature Assembly in 1958. He worked in the
home and education departments if PEPSU. He also served
as Director of the State Bank of Patiala.
During the 1982 Asian Games
he was also President of the Asian Games Federation. However,
the body was disbanded immediately after the games. In its
place, the Olympic Council of Asia was formed. The Raja
was the chief architect in the formation of the OCA. In
fact, at the time of his death, his son Randhir Singh, who
has donned India colours in the Olympic and the Asian Games
and many other international meets as shooter, was the secretary-general
of the Indian Olympic Association as well as the Olympic
Council of Asia.
Though there is not an iota
of doubt that this son Randhir Singh will carry forward
the flame lit by Raja Bhalindra Singh in the world of sports,
yet the latter will be remembered for putting Olympic movement
on a firm footing not only in India but in Asia as well.
Umrao Singh
Mr Umrao Singh is one of
the premier Sikh sports administrators in the country. He
has been associated with the sports administration for the
past three decades. During his long tenure which is still
continuing Mr Umrao Singh has served on a number of sports
committees and panels both in India and abroad. After the
late Raja Bhalindra Singh, he was the next most powerful
man in the special Organising Committee of the ninth Asian
Games in 1992.
But Mr Umrao Singh is not
only a sports administrator. He is a multi-dimensional personality.
Besides being an able administrator and a fine sportsman,
he is a successful politician too. However, he played a
leading role in shaping India's hockey destiny. The affairs
of the Indian Hockey Federation were a shambles in 1975.
Being totally faction-ridden, the IHF was not in a position
to prepare the Indian team for the acid test which they
were to face in the third World Cup Hockey Tournament at
Amsterdam in 1975. Being a close observer of the IHF affairs,
Mr Umrao Singh advised the then Chief Minister of Punjab
to approach the IOA for the preparatory camp prior to the
World Cup, offering all expenses towards coaching and kitting.
What followed later is history.
India, under the inspiring leadership of world renowned
centre-half Ajit Pal Singh, stunned traditional rivals Pakistan
in the final to pull out a sensational victory at Amsterdam.
Another fine aspect of Mr.
Umrao Singh's personality is that he soft-spoken and suave.
Never known for losing his temper, he will listen patiently
to a point of view different from his own. It was under
his advice that sports was made a compulsory subject in
Punjab schools.
Though Mr Umrao Singh is
known for his association with athletics, it was not his
first love. Born at Guru Har Sahai in Ferozepore district,
he had early education at NAC High School, Burewal. Later,
he studied and played for SN and FC College, Lahore. Hockey
caught his fancy in the school days. It was only later that
he came to be associated with a number of sports organisations.
However, athletics took his prime time. He not only served
on the state associations and national federations, but
he contributed a great deal in promoting sports culture
in Asia. He is at present associated with the Olympic Council
of Asia.
Mr Umrao Singh is a close
observer of the Indian sports scene which suffers from various
ills. Yet like other administrators, he is helpless in the
present scheme of things. However, none can deny the fact
that sports administrators, both past and present, have
helped in creating a vast network of sports infrastructure
in the country. India is today one of the leading sporting
nations in Asia. It boasts of the best facilities in sports,
thanks to able sports administrators, who opted for the
latest equipment and applied scientific approach to the
concept of sports.
I.S. Bindra
A great organiser, a strict
disciplinarian and a crusader that is Mr. Inderjit Singh
Bindra. He is ruthlessly blunt. As a result some fear him
while others respect him for the same reason. Yet no one
can deny the fact that Mr Bindra possesses great organisational
skill. He has demonstrated this ability time and again.
The successful conduct of the Reliance Cup Criket Tournament,
jointly hosted by India and Pakistan, in 1987 propelled
him to the frontline of sports administrators in the country.
He was the guiding force behind the Reliance Cup show.
But he has not confined
himself to cricket alone. During the period that Mr. Bindra
was busy organising the Reliance Cup, he was also the President
of the Table Tennis Federation of India. In fact, Mr Bindra
took the TTFI under his command when his friend , Mr S.P.
Bagla, relinquished the charge as chief of the federation.
As is his wont, he mobilised great resources for the federation
which then enjoyed the privilege of hosting the 39th
World Table Tennis Championship from February 18 to March
1, 1987, at Delhi.
During the organisation
of the 39th World Table Tennis Championships,
he also served as one of the Asian representatives on the
International Table Tennis Federation Council. Other members
of the panel included Saliman Aljabhan, Rabee H.Al Turk,
Koji Kimura, Li Jong Ho and Yap Yong Yih.
