Report: Vishal Jha
Ghaziabad. Whenever the country brings gold medal in any sport, the whole country feels proud. Now you can easily watch and listen to all the matches of the World Cup on many streaming platforms. But if we talk about the 1975 Hockey World Cup, then there was only one radio at that time. Who used to convey every moment’s news to the people. The whole family used to listen to that match with bated breath.
What was the situation at that time, News18 Local spoke to Ashok Dhyanchand, a member of the 1975 Hockey World Cup winning team and the player who scored the winning goal against Pakistan. During the conversation on the 1975 Hockey World Cup, Ashok Dhyanchand says that a different feeling it occurs. It has been 48 years since the Indian team went to play in Malaysia in 1975. Then I had a chance to raise the honor of my India. The first World Cup of Hockey was played in 1971. That period was a golden era of hockey because before this India had won 6 gold medals in the Olympics.
The trophy was lost in front of the eyes
Ashok Dhyanchand joined the Indian team in the year 1970. In the year 1971, the Indian team won the bronze medal. The World Cup of the year 1973 was certainly such when there was a fierce competition with the Dutch team in the final. At that time I felt as if we have lost that trophy in front of our eyes.
The aim was to bring honor to the country
Ashok Dhyanchand says that when he started playing hockey, it was in his mind that India has to get respect because of his game. I come from the family of hockey wizard Dhyanchand and I got this opportunity in 1975. Pakistan’s team used to be very strong at that time. The team which played the 1975 World Cup for India, 5 members of that team are no more in this world.
when the father patted the back
I was able to score goals by defeating Pakistani players. The goal went into the triangle on the left side of the goalkeeper and that was the reason for our victory. The whole of India was listening to the radio commentary at that moment. Everyone was sitting with their ears on. Patriotism had a different spirit at that time because after the 1971 war, it was very important for all Indians to win the match. When I reached home, Mataji and the hockey magician were standing there. He patted my back whose touch I can’t forget till date.
players used to behave like enemies
In 1971 there was a war between India and Pakistan. Even in the match, both the teams used to treat each other like enemies. This was very common in those times. Often the players of both the teams used to kill the player by taking them on the wrong side or injured someone with hockey.
Madras Custom stopped at the airport
When the team reached India after winning the World Cup, everyone was stopped at the airport. The World Cup was a very valuable trophy. At that time the cost of the trophy was Rs 1.5 lakh. So at that time the Madras Custom had stopped that trophy. It was very strange that the whole team was kept waiting at the airport for 4 hours with the World Cup. Then when we got a call from the Home Ministry, we left from there. Then we were welcomed among the people sitting in an open car. People were showering flowers, people were dancing, congratulating the team. It was a different feeling.
Indira Gandhi welcomed
The entire team was called to Madam Indira Gandhi’s bungalow and a tea party was held there. He told that the whole country is feeling very proud. He talked to all the players and also took photographs.
Hockey has changed a lot
There is a world of difference between the hockey of then and the hockey of today. Then hockey was played with the wrists today. Hockey is played with the shoulders. Today hockey is being played in the colorful ground but that thrill is not seen. Which was visible at that time.
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FIRST PUBLISHED : March 20, 2023, 14:44 IST