What was the Sikh Union of Nairobi?

It was a club in East Africa that records show playing from the early 1920s and that won most of the domestic trophies of its time. Kenya's team was largely built from Nairobi's Sikh community.

What was Kenya's biggest result against India?

Kenya gave India its biggest defeat in 184 internationals.

Where is Sansarpur, and why is it famous in hockey?

It lies on the outskirts of Jalandhar and has about 5,000 people. It produced 14 Olympians, all from the same street, inspired by soldiers at the nearby cantonment.

Who played the first men's internationals for Australia and New Zealand?

Each country's first match was against the other, on the same day. With no one else near to play, they played each other, and New Zealand won.

How did Argentina's women become Las Leonas?

They drew a lioness on their shirts at the Games in Sydney. The original was only a hand-drawn sketch, and the nickname was born with it.

What are the hockey films mentioned in Chapter 7?

Chak De! India follows a disgraced former captain, Kabir Khan, and a women's hockey team. Gold tells the story of India's first gold as a free nation, and Soorma is about drag-flick specialist Sandeep Singh. Both of the last two came out in 2018.

How many Sikh players have gone to the Olympics?

One count, compiled by Dil Bahra, lists 157 men and 5 women, playing for nine different countries including Kenya, Malaysia and Tanzania.

Field Hockey · Interesting Facts

Chapter 7: Hockey Around the World

10 parts · 10 tests · 100 facts · updated 31 October 2026 · markdown

Chapter 7 follows field hockey far from where it started, from East Africa and Punjab to Australia, Argentina and the American college game. It also covers the way Indian cinema picked up the sport, and a question that surprises people: whether hockey is the national game of India or Pakistan.

The Sikh Union of Nairobi was a club in East Africa that records show playing from the early 1920s and winning most of the domestic trophies of its time. Kenya's team was largely built from Nairobi's Sikh community, and Kenya went on to give India its biggest defeat in 184 internationals. Sansarpur, a village of about 5,000 people near Jalandhar, produced 14 Olympians from one street. Australia and New Zealand played their first men's internationals on the same day, against each other, because there was no one else near to play.

Argentina's women drew a lioness on their shirts in Sydney and became Las Leonas. Films such as Chak De! India, Gold and Soorma brought hockey to Indian cinemas. Sikh players have gone to the Olympics for nine different countries. In the USA, field hockey was the first women's sport with an NCAA national title.

The facts below cover the Sikh Union of Nairobi, Kenya's big days, Sansarpur, the Trans-Tasman debut, the first lioness, Chak De! India, Gold and Soorma, Sikhs at the Games, America's college game and the national game question.

7.71The Sikh Union of Nairobi

A club in East Africa that once supplied most of a national team.

Test 1Kenya's Sikh Union clubTake a test

Records show them playing there from the early 1920s.
Source: FIH, 'Kenyan legend recalls glory days', 19 October 2017 (fih.hockey); sikhsinhockey.com · recall
It also won most of the domestic trophies of the time.
Source: FIH, 'Kenyan legend recalls glory days', 19 October 2017 (fih.hockey); sikhsinhockey.com · recall
Dhyan Chand's India side toured Kenya in 1948; seeing it play lit the young Sohal's ambition, and he went on to play for Kenya from 1957.
Source: FIH, 'Kenyan legend recalls glory days', 19 October 2017 (fih.hockey); sikhsinhockey.com · recall
He played between 1957 and 1972, across four Olympics.
Source: FIH, 'Kenyan legend recalls glory days', 19 October 2017 (fih.hockey); sikhsinhockey.com · recall
He led the team in 1964, 1968 and 1972.
Source: FIH, 'Kenyan legend recalls glory days', 19 October 2017 (fih.hockey); sikhsinhockey.com · recall
It came in Tokyo, against far larger hockey nations.
Source: FIH, 'Kenyan legend recalls glory days', 19 October 2017 (fih.hockey); sikhsinhockey.com · recall
He had been the team coach at Melbourne in 1956.
Source: FIH, 'Kenyan legend recalls glory days', 19 October 2017 (fih.hockey); sikhsinhockey.com · recall
1957, 1964, 1980, 1988.
Source: FIH, 'Kenyan legend recalls glory days', 19 October 2017 (fih.hockey); sikhsinhockey.com · recall
The 1920s, 1948, 1956, 1971.
Source: FIH, 'Kenyan legend recalls glory days', 19 October 2017 (fih.hockey); sikhsinhockey.com · recall
Kenya's team was largely built from Nairobi's Sikh community.
Source: FIH, 'Kenyan legend recalls glory days', 19 October 2017 (fih.hockey); sikhsinhockey.com · applied

7.72Kenya's Big Days

Kenya once gave India its biggest defeat, and played a marathon in Rome.

Test 1Kenya's big daysTake a test

It took eight extra periods before Britain scored.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Kenya Hockey Olympians Conference, 2021', by Dil Bahra (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
It was India's biggest defeat in 184 internationals.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Kenya Hockey Olympians Conference, 2021', by Dil Bahra (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
It was India's last gold for 16 years.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Kenya Hockey Olympians Conference, 2021', by Dil Bahra (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
Beating Pakistan 3-1 at home in early 1960 was a notable result against a leading hockey nation, in the year of the Rome Games.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Kenya Hockey Olympians Conference, 2021', by Dil Bahra (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
Instead it went into a play-off against Australia.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Kenya Hockey Olympians Conference, 2021', by Dil Bahra (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
The first was in Melbourne in 1956.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Kenya Hockey Olympians Conference, 2021', by Dil Bahra (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
It ran across time zones from Calgary to Australia.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Kenya Hockey Olympians Conference, 2021', by Dil Bahra (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
Early 1960, summer 1960, 1964, 1968.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Kenya Hockey Olympians Conference, 2021', by Dil Bahra (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
07:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00, 23:00.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Kenya Hockey Olympians Conference, 2021', by Dil Bahra (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
A goal in the eighth extra period ended Kenya's run.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Kenya Hockey Olympians Conference, 2021', by Dil Bahra (hockeymuseum.org) · applied

7.73Sansarpur

A village of about 5,000 people near Jalandhar produced 14 Olympians from one street.

Test 1SansarpurTake a test

All of them came from the same street.
Source: The Bridge, 'Throwback: the Indian village that produced 14 Olympians'; The Tribune, 15 July 2005; Village Square, 'Punjab's hockey villages' · recall
One more, Bindi Kular, played for Canada.
Source: The Bridge, 'Throwback: the Indian village that produced 14 Olympians'; The Tribune, 15 July 2005; Village Square, 'Punjab's hockey villages' · recall
It lies on the outskirts of Jalandhar.
Source: The Bridge, 'Throwback: the Indian village that produced 14 Olympians'; The Tribune, 15 July 2005; Village Square, 'Punjab's hockey villages' · recall
Their balls were woven from cotton thread.
Source: The Bridge, 'Throwback: the Indian village that produced 14 Olympians'; The Tribune, 15 July 2005; Village Square, 'Punjab's hockey villages' · recall
Five played for India and two for Kenya.
Source: The Bridge, 'Throwback: the Indian village that produced 14 Olympians'; The Tribune, 15 July 2005; Village Square, 'Punjab's hockey villages' · recall
Soldiers at the nearby cantonment inspired the villagers.
Source: The Bridge, 'Throwback: the Indian village that produced 14 Olympians'; The Tribune, 15 July 2005; Village Square, 'Punjab's hockey villages' · recall
He was the last of the village's 14 so far.
Source: The Bridge, 'Throwback: the Indian village that produced 14 Olympians'; The Tribune, 15 July 2005; Village Square, 'Punjab's hockey villages' · recall
1932, 1952, 1968, 2000.
Source: The Bridge, 'Throwback: the Indian village that produced 14 Olympians'; The Tribune, 15 July 2005; Village Square, 'Punjab's hockey villages' · recall
Nine, four and one.
Source: The Bridge, 'Throwback: the Indian village that produced 14 Olympians'; The Tribune, 15 July 2005; Village Square, 'Punjab's hockey villages' · recall
The village later had its own academy, with two proper pitches.
Source: The Bridge, 'Throwback: the Indian village that produced 14 Olympians'; The Tribune, 15 July 2005; Village Square, 'Punjab's hockey villages' · applied

7.74The Trans-Tasman Debut

Australia and New Zealand played their first men's internationals on the same day, against each other.

Test 1Australia and New Zealand, 1922Take a test

It was the first men's international for both countries, so each made its debut against the other, in Palmerston North.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Centenary of Australia and New Zealand's first international matches' (hockeymuseum.org), with Geoff Watson and John Sanders · recall
Neither country had another national side near enough to play, so New Zealand and Australia became each other's first opponents.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Centenary of Australia and New Zealand's first international matches' (hockeymuseum.org), with Geoff Watson and John Sanders · recall
The Sportsground there is now Fitzherbert Park.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Centenary of Australia and New Zealand's first international matches' (hockeymuseum.org), with Geoff Watson and John Sanders · recall
New Zealand had led 3-0 at half-time.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Centenary of Australia and New Zealand's first international matches' (hockeymuseum.org), with Geoff Watson and John Sanders · recall
He held the top job from 1949 to 1957.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Centenary of Australia and New Zealand's first international matches' (hockeymuseum.org), with Geoff Watson and John Sanders · recall
The report says New Zealand was 'somewhat fortunate' to win.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Centenary of Australia and New Zealand's first international matches' (hockeymuseum.org), with Geoff Watson and John Sanders · recall
About 80 couples came to the dance at Zealandia Hall.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Centenary of Australia and New Zealand's first international matches' (hockeymuseum.org), with Geoff Watson and John Sanders · recall
4, 5, 80, about 1,500.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Centenary of Australia and New Zealand's first international matches' (hockeymuseum.org), with Geoff Watson and John Sanders · recall
The Australians came back in the second half, but not quite far enough.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Centenary of Australia and New Zealand's first international matches' (hockeymuseum.org), with Geoff Watson and John Sanders · recall
The hall was also hung with green-and-gold and green-and-black shields.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Centenary of Australia and New Zealand's first international matches' (hockeymuseum.org), with Geoff Watson and John Sanders · applied

7.75The First Lioness

Argentina's women drew a lioness on their shirts in Sydney, and got a new name.

Test 1The first lionessTake a test

The team's goalkeeper insists on the credit going to her, against her modesty.
Source: ESPN Deportes, 'El trazo que inventó un destino', 28 April 2026; Spanish Academy, 'History of Argentina's women's team'; FIH, 'Celebrating 20 years of Las Leonas'; El Gráfico; Perfil 442 · recall
It was drawn at the Games, out of a need to survive there.
Source: ESPN Deportes, 'El trazo que inventó un destino', 28 April 2026; Spanish Academy, 'History of Argentina's women's team'; FIH, 'Celebrating 20 years of Las Leonas'; El Gráfico; Perfil 442 · recall
She knew them from her parents' books.
Source: ESPN Deportes, 'El trazo que inventó un destino', 28 April 2026; Spanish Academy, 'History of Argentina's women's team'; FIH, 'Celebrating 20 years of Las Leonas'; El Gráfico; Perfil 442 · recall
They won the match, and with it a new belief.
Source: ESPN Deportes, 'El trazo que inventó un destino', 28 April 2026; Spanish Academy, 'History of Argentina's women's team'; FIH, 'Celebrating 20 years of Las Leonas'; El Gráfico; Perfil 442 · recall
They lost the final to the host nation.
Source: ESPN Deportes, 'El trazo que inventó un destino', 28 April 2026; Spanish Academy, 'History of Argentina's women's team'; FIH, 'Celebrating 20 years of Las Leonas'; El Gráfico; Perfil 442 · recall
The original was only a hand-drawn sketch.
Source: ESPN Deportes, 'El trazo que inventó un destino', 28 April 2026; Spanish Academy, 'History of Argentina's women's team'; FIH, 'Celebrating 20 years of Las Leonas'; El Gráfico; Perfil 442 · recall
The name means the lioness cubs.
Source: ESPN Deportes, 'El trazo que inventó un destino', 28 April 2026; Spanish Academy, 'History of Argentina's women's team'; FIH, 'Celebrating 20 years of Las Leonas'; El Gráfico; Perfil 442 · recall
2000, 2006, 2020, 2026.
Source: ESPN Deportes, 'El trazo que inventó un destino', 28 April 2026; Spanish Academy, 'History of Argentina's women's team'; FIH, 'Celebrating 20 years of Las Leonas'; El Gráfico; Perfil 442 · recall
2000, 2004, 2012, 2020.
Source: Olympedia, Olympic hockey medallists · recall
The lioness sketched at the 2000 Games became the team's emblem, and the nickname Las Leonas grew out of it.
Source: ESPN Deportes, 'El trazo que inventó un destino', 28 April 2026; Spanish Academy, 'History of Argentina's women's team'; FIH, 'Celebrating 20 years of Las Leonas'; El Gráfico; Perfil 442 · applied

7.76Chak De! India

A film about a disgraced former captain and a women's hockey team became a national event.

Test 1Chak De! IndiaTake a test

He plays Kabir Khan, who has a score to settle with the past.
Source: Apple TV listing, 'Chak De India'; Scroll, on Mir Ranjan Negi; Hindustan Times, August 2021; Yash Raj Films; Orissa Post, 'Looking at Hindi films based on hockey' · recall
It came out just before Independence Day.
Source: Apple TV listing, 'Chak De India'; Scroll, on Mir Ranjan Negi; Hindustan Times, August 2021; Yash Raj Films; Orissa Post, 'Looking at Hindi films based on hockey' · recall
The script came from the writer Jaideep Sahni.
Source: Apple TV listing, 'Chak De India'; Scroll, on Mir Ranjan Negi; Hindustan Times, August 2021; Yash Raj Films; Orissa Post, 'Looking at Hindi films based on hockey' · recall
He is a former India captain, blamed for a defeat by Pakistan.
Source: Apple TV listing, 'Chak De India'; Scroll, on Mir Ranjan Negi; Hindustan Times, August 2021; Yash Raj Films; Orissa Post, 'Looking at Hindi films based on hockey' · recall
They come from all over India, and have to stop being states and become a team.
Source: Apple TV listing, 'Chak De India'; Scroll, on Mir Ranjan Negi; Hindustan Times, August 2021; Yash Raj Films; Orissa Post, 'Looking at Hindi films based on hockey' · recall
He said the film was no documentary of his life.
Source: Apple TV listing, 'Chak De India'; Scroll, on Mir Ranjan Negi; Hindustan Times, August 2021; Yash Raj Films; Orissa Post, 'Looking at Hindi films based on hockey' · recall
India wins it, in the way only cinema could allow.
Source: Apple TV listing, 'Chak De India'; Scroll, on Mir Ranjan Negi; Hindustan Times, August 2021; Yash Raj Films; Orissa Post, 'Looking at Hindi films based on hockey' · recall
1982, 2007, 2021.
Source: Apple TV listing, 'Chak De India'; Scroll, on Mir Ranjan Negi; Hindustan Times, August 2021; Yash Raj Films; Orissa Post, 'Looking at Hindi films based on hockey' · recall
2007, July 2018, August 2018.
Source: Apple TV listing, 'Chak De India'; Scroll, on Mir Ranjan Negi; Hindustan Times, August 2021; Yash Raj Films; Orissa Post, 'Looking at Hindi films based on hockey' · recall
India's best-known sports film put women's hockey on the map.
Source: Apple TV listing, 'Chak De India'; Scroll, on Mir Ranjan Negi; Hindustan Times, August 2021; Yash Raj Films; Orissa Post, 'Looking at Hindi films based on hockey' · applied

7.77Gold and Soorma

Two more hockey films, both from 2018: a team in 1948 and a hero with a bullet wound.

Test 1Gold and SoormaTake a test

Critics compared it, not always kindly, to Chak De! India.
Source: The Quint and Film Companion reviews of 'Gold'; Arab News, 'Gold whips up India's patriotism through hockey'; The Quint, 'Soorma: Sandeep Singh's story'; Kuwait Times, 'Bollywood biopic celebrates shot Indian hockey hero' · recall
India beat Great Britain in the 1948 final at Wembley, its first Olympic gold since independence in 1947; the film dramatises the story behind it.
Source: The Quint and Film Companion reviews of 'Gold'; Arab News, 'Gold whips up India's patriotism through hockey'; The Quint, 'Soorma: Sandeep Singh's story'; Kuwait Times, 'Bollywood biopic celebrates shot Indian hockey hero' · recall
She also co-wrote it.
Source: The Quint and Film Companion reviews of 'Gold'; Arab News, 'Gold whips up India's patriotism through hockey'; The Quint, 'Soorma: Sandeep Singh's story'; Kuwait Times, 'Bollywood biopic celebrates shot Indian hockey hero' · recall
Lal was India's captain in London in 1948.
Source: The Quint and Film Companion reviews of 'Gold'; Arab News, 'Gold whips up India's patriotism through hockey'; The Quint, 'Soorma: Sandeep Singh's story'; Kuwait Times, 'Bollywood biopic celebrates shot Indian hockey hero' · recall
He was India's drag-flick specialist.
Source: The Quint and Film Companion reviews of 'Gold'; Arab News, 'Gold whips up India's patriotism through hockey'; The Quint, 'Soorma: Sandeep Singh's story'; Kuwait Times, 'Bollywood biopic celebrates shot Indian hockey hero' · recall
He was paralysed for a time, and later returned to captain India.
Source: The Quint and Film Companion reviews of 'Gold'; Arab News, 'Gold whips up India's patriotism through hockey'; The Quint, 'Soorma: Sandeep Singh's story'; Kuwait Times, 'Bollywood biopic celebrates shot Indian hockey hero' · recall
The Punjabi star had Sandeep's own advice on the field.
Source: The Quint and Film Companion reviews of 'Gold'; Arab News, 'Gold whips up India's patriotism through hockey'; The Quint, 'Soorma: Sandeep Singh's story'; Kuwait Times, 'Bollywood biopic celebrates shot Indian hockey hero' · recall
2006, 2009, 2018.
Source: The Quint and Film Companion reviews of 'Gold'; Arab News, 'Gold whips up India's patriotism through hockey'; The Quint, 'Soorma: Sandeep Singh's story'; Kuwait Times, 'Bollywood biopic celebrates shot Indian hockey hero' · recall
1948, 1982, 2006.
Source: The Quint and Film Companion reviews of 'Gold'; Arab News, 'Gold whips up India's patriotism through hockey'; The Quint, 'Soorma: Sandeep Singh's story'; Kuwait Times, 'Bollywood biopic celebrates shot Indian hockey hero' · recall
His brother helped choreograph the film's hockey scenes.
Source: The Quint and Film Companion reviews of 'Gold'; Arab News, 'Gold whips up India's patriotism through hockey'; The Quint, 'Soorma: Sandeep Singh's story'; Kuwait Times, 'Bollywood biopic celebrates shot Indian hockey hero' · applied

7.78Sikhs at the Games

A record of the Sikh players who have gone to the Olympics, for nine different countries.

Test 1Sikh OlympiansTake a test

157 men and 5 women, by that count.
Source: sikhsinhockey.com (Sikhs in Hockey, compiled by Dil Bahra); The Hockey Museum, 'Sikh Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org); FIH · recall
They include Kenya, Malaysia and Tanzania.
Source: sikhsinhockey.com (Sikhs in Hockey, compiled by Dil Bahra); The Hockey Museum, 'Sikh Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org); FIH · recall
One played for Kenya and the other for Canada.
Source: sikhsinhockey.com (Sikhs in Hockey, compiled by Dil Bahra); The Hockey Museum, 'Sikh Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org); FIH · recall
Amarjit, the keeper, and Harvinder, known as Gora.
Source: sikhsinhockey.com (Sikhs in Hockey, compiled by Dil Bahra); The Hockey Museum, 'Sikh Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org); FIH · recall
They are an old community in the Pacific islands.
Source: sikhsinhockey.com (Sikhs in Hockey, compiled by Dil Bahra); The Hockey Museum, 'Sikh Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org); FIH · recall
Kenya made its Olympic hockey debut at Melbourne in 1956, with Mahan Singh Sandhu as coach.
Source: sikhsinhockey.com (Sikhs in Hockey, compiled by Dil Bahra); The Hockey Museum, 'Sikh Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org); FIH · recall
He has spent years documenting every player.
Source: sikhsinhockey.com (Sikhs in Hockey, compiled by Dil Bahra); The Hockey Museum, 'Sikh Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org); FIH · recall
5, 9, 157.
Source: sikhsinhockey.com (Sikhs in Hockey, compiled by Dil Bahra); The Hockey Museum, 'Sikh Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org); FIH · recall
The 1920s, 1956, the early 1960s, 1968.
Source: sikhsinhockey.com (Sikhs in Hockey, compiled by Dil Bahra); The Hockey Museum, 'Sikh Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org); FIH · recall
Only Amarjit Marwa for Kenya and Sarbjit Dusang for Canada have played in goal at the Olympics, out of 162 Sikh Olympians.
Source: sikhsinhockey.com (Sikhs in Hockey, compiled by Dil Bahra); The Hockey Museum, 'Sikh Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org); FIH · applied

7.79America's College Game

In the USA, field hockey was the first women's sport with an NCAA national title.

Test 1College field hockey in AmericaTake a test

They were staged with cross country on 21-22 November.
Source: University of Connecticut Athletics, 'UConn honors 1981 national champions'; Old Dominion University, 'Field Hockey at ODU'; NFHCA, 'A look at the history of women's field hockey'; University of Michigan Record; Team USA · recall
They beat Massachusetts 4-1.
Source: University of Connecticut Athletics, 'UConn honors 1981 national champions'; Old Dominion University, 'Field Hockey at ODU'; NFHCA, 'A look at the history of women's field hockey'; University of Michigan Record; Team USA · recall
The NCAA soon took over 12 women's sports from another body.
Source: University of Connecticut Athletics, 'UConn honors 1981 national champions'; Old Dominion University, 'Field Hockey at ODU'; NFHCA, 'A look at the history of women's field hockey'; University of Michigan Record; Team USA · recall
The count is as of 2025, when another school took the title.
Source: University of Connecticut Athletics, 'UConn honors 1981 national champions'; Old Dominion University, 'Field Hockey at ODU'; NFHCA, 'A look at the history of women's field hockey'; University of Michigan Record; Team USA · recall
It has added six more since.
Source: University of Connecticut Athletics, 'UConn honors 1981 national champions'; Old Dominion University, 'Field Hockey at ODU'; NFHCA, 'A look at the history of women's field hockey'; University of Michigan Record; Team USA · recall
There was a year of dual championships before the changeover.
Source: University of Connecticut Athletics, 'UConn honors 1981 national champions'; Old Dominion University, 'Field Hockey at ODU'; NFHCA, 'A look at the history of women's field hockey'; University of Michigan Record; Team USA · recall
It came in 2001.
Source: University of Connecticut Athletics, 'UConn honors 1981 national champions'; Old Dominion University, 'Field Hockey at ODU'; NFHCA, 'A look at the history of women's field hockey'; University of Michigan Record; Team USA · recall
1922, 1972, 1981, 1984.
Source: University of Connecticut Athletics, 'UConn honors 1981 national champions'; Old Dominion University, 'Field Hockey at ODU'; NFHCA, 'A look at the history of women's field hockey'; University of Michigan Record; Team USA · recall
1981, 2000, 2001, 2025.
Source: University of Connecticut Athletics, 'UConn honors 1981 national champions'; Old Dominion University, 'Field Hockey at ODU'; NFHCA, 'A look at the history of women's field hockey'; University of Michigan Record; Team USA · recall
The first NCAA women's championships, held on 21-22 November 1981, paired field hockey with cross country.
Source: University of Connecticut Athletics, 'UConn honors 1981 national champions'; Old Dominion University, 'Field Hockey at ODU'; NFHCA, 'A look at the history of women's field hockey'; University of Michigan Record; Team USA · applied

7.80The National Game?

Is hockey the national game of India? And what about Pakistan? The answers surprise people.

Test 1The national game?Take a test

Replies to official requests have said this many times.
Source: Dawn, 'Pakistan hockey: rise and demise'; Olympics.com, 'India's national game'; Culture Trip, 'Why India doesn't have a national sport'; Herald Goa, 'Ambiguity over National Games' · recall
The answer surprised many people, including schoolchildren who had been taught otherwise.
Source: Dawn, 'Pakistan hockey: rise and demise'; Olympics.com, 'India's national game'; Culture Trip, 'Why India doesn't have a national sport'; Herald Goa, 'Ambiguity over National Games' · recall
Its record of Olympic and world titles is a big part of why.
Source: Dawn, 'Pakistan hockey: rise and demise'; Olympics.com, 'India's national game'; Culture Trip, 'Why India doesn't have a national sport'; Herald Goa, 'Ambiguity over National Games' · recall
A year after the country was founded. Other dates are also given.
Source: Dawn, 'Pakistan hockey: rise and demise'; Olympics.com, 'India's national game'; Culture Trip, 'Why India doesn't have a national sport'; Herald Goa, 'Ambiguity over National Games' · recall
Six in a row from 1928 to 1956 made the idea stick.
Source: Dawn, 'Pakistan hockey: rise and demise'; Olympics.com, 'India's national game'; Culture Trip, 'Why India doesn't have a national sport'; Herald Goa, 'Ambiguity over National Games' · recall
Dawn writes of the rise and fall of the official national sport.
Source: Dawn, 'Pakistan hockey: rise and demise'; Olympics.com, 'India's national game'; Culture Trip, 'Why India doesn't have a national sport'; Herald Goa, 'Ambiguity over National Games' · recall
A long run of titles was followed by decades of struggle.
Source: Dawn, 'Pakistan hockey: rise and demise'; Olympics.com, 'India's national game'; Culture Trip, 'Why India doesn't have a national sport'; Herald Goa, 'Ambiguity over National Games' · recall
1947, 1960, 1994.
Source: Dawn, 'Pakistan hockey: rise and demise'; Olympics.com, 'India's national game'; Culture Trip, 'Why India doesn't have a national sport'; Herald Goa, 'Ambiguity over National Games' · recall
1928, 1948, 2021.
Source: Dawn, 'Pakistan hockey: rise and demise'; Olympics.com, 'India's national game'; Culture Trip, 'Why India doesn't have a national sport'; Herald Goa, 'Ambiguity over National Games' · recall
It is one of the most repeated facts in Indian quizzes, and it's wrong.
Source: Dawn, 'Pakistan hockey: rise and demise'; Olympics.com, 'India's national game'; Culture Trip, 'Why India doesn't have a national sport'; Herald Goa, 'Ambiguity over National Games' · applied

Questions people ask

What was the Sikh Union of Nairobi?: It was a club in East Africa that records show playing from the early 1920s and that won most of the domestic trophies of its time. Kenya's team was largely built from Nairobi's Sikh community.
What was Kenya's biggest result against India?: Kenya gave India its biggest defeat in 184 internationals.
Where is Sansarpur, and why is it famous in hockey?: It lies on the outskirts of Jalandhar and has about 5,000 people. It produced 14 Olympians, all from the same street, inspired by soldiers at the nearby cantonment.
Who played the first men's internationals for Australia and New Zealand?: Each country's first match was against the other, on the same day. With no one else near to play, they played each other, and New Zealand won.
How did Argentina's women become Las Leonas?: They drew a lioness on their shirts at the Games in Sydney. The original was only a hand-drawn sketch, and the nickname was born with it.
What are the hockey films mentioned in Chapter 7?: Chak De! India follows a disgraced former captain, Kabir Khan, and a women's hockey team. Gold tells the story of India's first gold as a free nation, and Soorma is about drag-flick specialist Sandeep Singh. Both of the last two came out in 2018.
How many Sikh players have gone to the Olympics?: One count, compiled by Dil Bahra, lists 157 men and 5 women, playing for nine different countries including Kenya, Malaysia and Tanzania.
Is hockey the national game of India?: The claim is one of the most repeated facts in Indian quizzes, and it is wrong. Replies to official requests have said so, and Culture Trip explains why India has no national sport.

Sources

Primary/official sources only, no Wikipedia citations: the FIH and its continental federations, national associations, The Hockey Museum, the Olympic Channel and Olympedia, Guinness World Records, clubs' and makers' own histories, museums and named reputable media.

FIH, 'Kenyan legend recalls glory days', 19 October 2017 (fih.hockey); sikhsinhockey.com10
The Hockey Museum, 'Kenya Hockey Olympians Conference, 2021', by Dil Bahra (hockeymuseum.org)10
The Bridge, 'Throwback: the Indian village that produced 14 Olympians'; The Tribune, 15 July 2005; Village Square, 'Punjab's hockey villages'10
The Hockey Museum, 'Centenary of Australia and New Zealand's first international matches' (hockeymuseum.org), with Geoff Watson and John Sanders10
Apple TV listing, 'Chak De India'; Scroll, on Mir Ranjan Negi; Hindustan Times, August 2021; Yash Raj Films; Orissa Post, 'Looking at Hindi films based on hockey'10
The Quint and Film Companion reviews of 'Gold'; Arab News, 'Gold whips up India's patriotism through hockey'; The Quint, 'Soorma: Sandeep Singh's story'; Kuwait Times, 'Bollywood biopic celebrates shot Indian hockey hero'10
sikhsinhockey.com (Sikhs in Hockey, compiled by Dil Bahra); The Hockey Museum, 'Sikh Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org); FIH10
University of Connecticut Athletics, 'UConn honors 1981 national champions'; Old Dominion University, 'Field Hockey at ODU'; NFHCA, 'A look at the history of women's field hockey'; University of Michigan Record; Team USA10
Dawn, 'Pakistan hockey: rise and demise'; Olympics.com, 'India's national game'; Culture Trip, 'Why India doesn't have a national sport'; Herald Goa, 'Ambiguity over National Games'10
ESPN Deportes, 'El trazo que inventó un destino', 28 April 2026; Spanish Academy, 'History of Argentina's women's team'; FIH, 'Celebrating 20 years of Las Leonas'; El Gráfico; Perfil 4429
Olympedia, Olympic hockey medallists1