The Sports Authority of India and Hockey India marked 100 years of Indian hockey with a grand centenary celebration at the iconic Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here on Friday.
The milestone event was attended by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Tamil Nadu Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin, Odisha Sports Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, FIH President Dato Tayyab Ikram, along with several dignitaries, hockey legends and members of India’s national teams.
The celebration paid tribute to a century of excellence, unity and national pride, honouring the sport’s evolution from its early days in 1925 to its resurgence on the global stage.
Mandaviya spoke passionately about the occasion, noting that “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. With its rich history, Indian hockey is once again rising and moving towards another Olympic medal. As the country celebrates with over 1,000 matches being played nationwide today, the entire Bharat revels in this proud moment. The Government of India will continue to support our players and the sport in every possible way. I congratulate Hockey India, the players, coaches, and fans for being part of this remarkable journey.”
Reflecting on the significance of the day, Rijiju said, “I consider myself fortunate to stand here among the legends of the game on this special occasion. It has been a long and inspiring journey for Indian hockey. I congratulate Hockey India for honouring our greats alongside the current stars, merging our rich history with our promising future. Congratulations to all who have been part of this incredible journey.”
Sharing his appreciation, FIH President Tayyab Ikram remarked, “Today, we express gratitude to our legends, players, fans, and administrators who have shaped this journey. India has led the way in world hockey through 100 years of resilience and innovation. I thank the Government of India and Hockey India for their continued support. India’s resurgence in the Tokyo and Paris Olympics shows its strength, and I am confident the next 100 years will be even brighter for Indian hockey.”
The day began with an exhibition match between the Sports Minister’s XI, captained by Mandaviya, and the Hockey India XI, led by the president and hockey legend Dilip Tirkey. The Sports Ministry side clinched a 3–1 victory with goals from Beauty Dungdung, Salima Tete, and Krishna Pathak, while Manpreet Singh netted the lone goal for the Hockey India XI.
Hockey India also honoured some of the sport’s most iconic names for their enduring contributions. The legends felicitated included Gurbux Singh, Harbinder Singh, Ajith Pal Singh, Ashok Kumar, B P Govinda, Aslam Sher Khan, Zafar Iqbal, Brigadier Harcharan Singh VSM, Vineet Kumar, Romeo James, Asunta Lakra and Subhadra Pradhan.
A special highlight of the centenary celebration was the launch of the commemorative book 100 Years of Indian Hockey, documenting the sport’s remarkable journey through historic milestones, Olympic triumphs, and memorable comebacks. A photo exhibition featuring rare archival images and memorabilia brought the rich history of Indian hockey to life.
With Tamil Nadu set to host the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup 2025, the tournament trophy was also unveiled, kicking off a 20-city tour. The festivities continued with live performances by singer and composer Siddharth Mahadevan, adding vibrancy to the celebration.
Echoing the spirit of the occasion, a nationwide Hockey Festival was held across 500 districts, with more than 36,000 players participating in over 1,000 exhibition matches. The initiative engaged school athletes, veterans, and community teams, turning the centenary into a truly national celebration.
Tirkey, president of Hockey India, shared an emotional message: “It is an honour for me to stand here at the very stadium where I attended my first camp and played my first major tournament. Today is a tribute to those who laid the foundation for Indian hockey a century ago and to every player who has brought glory to the nation through this sport. We must also recognise all the stakeholders who work tirelessly for the promotion of hockey, including the Government of India, which has given us immense support. I am confident that many more moments of pride await us in the years to come.”
Secretary General Bholanath Singh expressed his gratitude, saying, “A special thanks to the Government of India for making this celebration a reality and to all the esteemed dignitaries present here today. This moment belongs to the entire hockey fraternity, and we are proud to be celebrating it across every state. I also thank our state member units for their constant support and contribution in taking the sport forward,” he added.