Dhyan Chand is an iconic figure in Indian as well as World hockey. His unbelievable talent in scoring goals made India win gold medals in the Olympic games of 1928,1932 and 1936. Today is his 105th birthday. This day is celebrated as national sports day in India. On this occasion, Let us look at some unknown facts about the ‘wizard of hockey’.
Here are 6 interesting facts about Dhyan Chand every Indian should know.
1) Dhyan Chand played so magically well that the officials of Netherlands broke his hockey stick to check whether there was any magnet hidden within it. They were stunned to find nothing!
2) At the age of 16, Dhyan Chand joined the British Indian army as a sepoy. He retired on 29th August, 1956 as a lieutenant.
3) The original name of Dhyan Chand was Dhyan Singh. He used to practice in the late hours of night in moonlight. That earned him the nickname ‘Chand’ which means moon.
4) Hitler was so impressed with his game that he offer Dhyan Chand German citizenship. He also approached Dhyan Chand to hold the post of ‘Colonel’ in German Military. Dhyan Chand declined both the offers.
5) The great cricket player Don Bradman watched Dhyan Chand play in Australia and remarked,” He scores goals in hockey in the same way that runs are scored in cricket.”
6) Dhyan Chand award is the highest lifetime achievement award in sports category in India. National stadium of New Delhi was named Major Dhyan Chand national stadium after him. There is a hostel in Aligarh Muslim University after him. British government has named Astroturf hockey pitch of London after him.