Indian hockey wrote a historic chapter precisely 46 years in the past on today in Kuala Lumpur when the nation lifted its solely World Cup title, however the architects of that achievement on Monday rued the truth that countrymen has regularly forgotten their feat.
The Indian hockey workforce lifted its solely World Cup crown on March 15, 1975 in Kuala Lumpur beating arch rival Pakistan by 2-1 in an exhilarating closing.
A wonderful chapter was written after struggling the ignominy of a heart-breaking loss two years in the past.
But Ashok Kumar , who had scored the successful purpose within the closing, has loads of complains.
“We talk about nationalism and what is biggest example of nationalism than bringing laurels for the country. That win brought smiles on the faces of every citizen of this country across caste, religion, status, gender,” he informed PTI Bhasha.
46 years in the past #OnThisDay in 1975, the Indian Men’s Hockey Team introduced residence the maiden World Cup Title! 🏆🙌
📸 Picture supply: Hockey India #IndiaKaGame pic.twitter.com/lE1WVj19N5
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) March 15, 2021
“But who remembers that now. TV channels are busy in celebrating Alia Bhatt’s birthday since morning. Not a single mention of hockey World Cup win anywhere. We do not get any congratulatory calls on this day,” mentioned Kumar, son of legendary Major Dhyan Chand.
He mentioned the World Cup closing win in opposition to Pakistan was probably the most impactful matches within the historical past of Indian hockey and it deserves respect.
“People still remember the radio commentary of that match. Hockey was a symbol of nationalism those days. I remember how Raj Kapoor organised a friendly match between our team and Bollywood team and whole film fraternity was there in Wankhede stadium to watch that,” he mentioned.
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Sharing comparable sentiments, one other member of the World Cup successful workforce, Olympian Ashok Diwan feels new era must be aware of that superb chapter of Indian hockey.
“Naturally we feel bad that only we team members and hockey fraternity remembers this historic day. New generation must be told about that win and feel proud of it,” he mentioned.
#OnThisDay in 1975 #India Men’s #Hockey Team introduced residence the maiden World Cup Title! https://t.co/PgTEcZuYz6
— Express Sports (@IExpressSports) March 15, 2021
“That was our first World Cup win. It has been 46 years now. We hope that India wins the hockey World Cup in 2023 and we get a chance to relive those moments.”
His workforce mate and 1972 Munich Olympics bronze medalist Varinder Singh added: “Last time all of us met in Bhubaneswar throughout 2018 World Cup. We spent per week collectively refreshing outdated reminiscences. We stayed in the identical resort, had breakfast, lunch and dinners collectively and used to go to the stadium collectively.
“We had decided then that we will meet once in a year but somehow it could not be materialised. I think that there should be a mechanism by which former players remain connected,” he mentioned.
