IT News
Imphal, Aug 5:
Manipur today celebrates as Hockey India today win the bronze medal at Tokyo Olympic. As soon as the Indian team defeated the World No. 4 Germany team by 5 -4 , large number of people at the locality of Kontha Ahallup Makha Leikai in Heingang Assembly constituency – the birthplace of Nilakanta Sharma , the midfielder in the Indian Hockey team, came out in the street with drums and by blasting crackers.
Interestingly, Manipur has reason to celebrate more than any other state as the President of Hockey India, Gyanendro Ningombam is from the state. He is the first person from the North East to ever serve the post.
Seram Neken, General Secretary of the Manipur Hockey, in his Facebook post writes – Today, India Men’s Hockey team wins the Bronze medal. Most appreciating moment is Manipur’s Nilakanta Sharma took active part in recreating India’s Hockey history. Credit goes to Hockey India chief Gyanendro Ningombam, whose leadership has a lot in regaining the country’s glory in Hockey.
Looking back to history, India had its golden period in Hockey since the 1928 Olympics after the formation of the Indian Hockey Federation. India then went on to win the whole competition without conceding a single goal in the 1928 event.
India beat Austria 6–0, Belgium 9–0, and Switzerland 5–0 without conceding a single goal. They defeated Netherlands 3–0 in the final under the captaincy of Jaipal Singh Munda.
1932 Olympics with a 11–1 win over Japan and 24–1 win over USA in that match Dhyan Chand hit 8 goals and Roop Singh scored 10 goals.
1936 Olympics to win their 3rd straight title, captained by legendary player Dhyan Chand. India stormed through the group stage by winning against Japan 9–0, Hungary 4–0 and United States 7–0. In the Semi-finals, they defeated France 10–0. The team went on to face Germany in the final. The match was won by India 8–1, it was the only goal India conceded in the whole competition.
World War II caused the cancellation of the 1940 and 1944 Olympics.
1948 Olympics India won all three games, an 8–0 win over Austria, Argentina 9–1 and Spain 2–0. In final India went on to face Great Britain, it was the first time India faced them. The great British team has already won the gold medal in 1908 and 1920, so this match was billed as the battle of Champions and eventually, India won the match 4–0. The result was a sweet one for India, which gained independence from Britain just a year ago. This win is often regarded as the greatest ever moment of Indian field hockey and also all of the Indian sports.
1952 Olympics – is famous for the 5 goals magical performance of Balbir Singh Sr., which is an Olympic record that still stands today. In 1956 Olympics, India defeated Pakistan and won the match 1–0. In 1960 Olympics, India lost to Pakistan 0-1 and got Silver Medal.
Again in 1964 Olympics, India won against Pakistan in the final to take their 7th gold medal. India won bronze in
1968, and 1972. In 1976 Olympics Astro-turf Hockey pitch was introduced, India struggled to maintain their dominance as they did on grass fields and for the first time ever returned home empty-handed.
1980 Olympics was held in Moscow – India won Gold medal – 8th time by defeating Spain in the final 4 – 3.
Since 1980 Olympics – India’s performance declined
In 2012 the team finished last at the Olympics as they lost all their matches.
