~Hockey India of their month-long marketing campaign to have a good time 100 years of Indian hockey, deep dives into nostalgia celebrating and remembering the heroes of the game who created a legacy that continues to dominate the sporting world~
~ “Legends like Roop Singh began the journey. It was a revelation to see him from such shut quarters,” recalled Olympian and Arjuna Awardee, Gurbux Singh. ~
New Delhi, October 15 2025: Roop Singh, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and one of many most interesting forwards of Indian hockey’s golden period, stays an everlasting image of India’s dominance that outlined the game in its early a long time. A member of India’s victorious groups on the 1932 Los Angeles and 1936 Berlin Olympics, and the youthful brother of the legendary Main Dhyan Chand, Roop Singh’s identify occupies a proud place within the recreation’s historical past.
For Gurbux Singh, Olympic gold medallist at Tokyo 1964, bronze medallist at Mexico Metropolis 1968, and recipient of the Arjuna Award, the connection is deeply private. One in all India’s most revered figures in hockey, Gurbux was coached by Roop Singh early in his profession, an expertise that left a long-lasting impression on him.
“I used to be in school in Delhi once I was known as for the Madhya Bharat trials in 1955,” he stated. “The trials had been in Gwalior, and that was the place I met Roop Singh for the primary time. He was the coach and supervisor of our crew. I used to be only a college boy then, and it was a revelation to see a legend like him and spend time with him.”
Gurbux remembered him as a person of heat. “He was an intensive gentleman, quite simple and pleasant. Regardless of all his achievements, he was approachable and type. It was my first nationwide championship, and to be coached by him was an incredible fortune.”, he expressed.
The 1955 Nationals in Madras marked the start of a journey that formed Gurbux Singh’s legendary profession. Roop Singh, who had received Olympic gold in 1932 and 1936, introduced with him a way of goal that deeply impressed these round him.
“He belonged to a era we regarded as much as,” Gurbux stated. “I used to be born earlier than Independence, and for us, they had been icons. I didn’t see Roop Singh or Dhyan Chand play at their peak, however I knew of their greatness. Had there been no World Warfare II, India will surely have received two extra Olympic golds in 1940 and 1944. They had been ok. Roop Singh would have performed, and he would have added to that legacy.”
He additionally recalled how Dhyan Chand himself usually stated that his youthful brother was the higher participant, a testomony to Roop Singh’s quiet brilliance. “It additionally exhibits the greatness of Dhyan Chand that he thought of his youthful brother even higher than himself,” Gurbux stated.
However beneath the glory, Gurbux added that the challenges confronted by Roop Singh, later in his life is a testomony to how a lot Indian Hockey has modified. “It harm me deeply to see that we didn’t worth their greatness sufficient,” he stated. “I nonetheless bear in mind an exhibition match held in Bombay within the late Fifties to gather cash for Roop Singh. Solely a small quantity, maybe 100 rupees, was collected and handed over. They had been males who by no means performed for cash, just for the nation. They achieved every thing for India, however life was not straightforward for them later.”
Nonetheless, he added with optimism, “That has modified now. Our gamers are being sorted a lot better, and that is likely one of the causes hockey is bettering once more. Issues have taken a flip for the higher, and that’s the way it ought to be.”
As Indian hockey celebrates 100 years, Gurbux Singh’s phrases carried a reminder for the subsequent era. “Legends like Roop Singh began the journey,” he stated. “For forty years we had been within the wilderness, however now we have now returned with two Olympic bronze medals. The subsequent step is to go for gold once more. The inspiration is there, as these males laid the muse. It’s as much as right now’s gamers to maintain the flag flying.”
Hockey India within the following days will convey extra such nostalgic tales from the icons of yesteryears with an intent to relive the historic contribution by the legends of the game that put India on the world sporting map over the previous 100 years.
