Chapter 7: Hockey Around the World

Records show them playing there from the early 1920s.

Źródło: FIH, 'Kenyan legend recalls glory days', 19 October 2017 (fih.hockey); sikhsinhockey.com · wiedza

It also won most of the domestic trophies of the time.

Źródło: FIH, 'Kenyan legend recalls glory days', 19 October 2017 (fih.hockey); sikhsinhockey.com · wiedza

He had just seen what the game could be.

Źródło: FIH, 'Kenyan legend recalls glory days', 19 October 2017 (fih.hockey); sikhsinhockey.com · wiedza

He played between 1957 and 1972, across four Olympics.

Źródło: FIH, 'Kenyan legend recalls glory days', 19 October 2017 (fih.hockey); sikhsinhockey.com · wiedza

He led the team in 1964, 1968 and 1972.

Źródło: FIH, 'Kenyan legend recalls glory days', 19 October 2017 (fih.hockey); sikhsinhockey.com · wiedza

It came in Tokyo, against far larger hockey nations.

Źródło: FIH, 'Kenyan legend recalls glory days', 19 October 2017 (fih.hockey); sikhsinhockey.com · wiedza

He had been the team coach at Melbourne in 1956.

Źródło: FIH, 'Kenyan legend recalls glory days', 19 October 2017 (fih.hockey); sikhsinhockey.com · wiedza

1957, 1964, 1980, 1988.

Źródło: FIH, 'Kenyan legend recalls glory days', 19 October 2017 (fih.hockey); sikhsinhockey.com · wiedza

The 1920s, 1948, 1956, 1971.

Źródło: FIH, 'Kenyan legend recalls glory days', 19 October 2017 (fih.hockey); sikhsinhockey.com · wiedza

Kenya's team was largely built from Nairobi's Sikh community.

Źródło: FIH, 'Kenyan legend recalls glory days', 19 October 2017 (fih.hockey); sikhsinhockey.com · zastosowanie

It took eight extra periods before Britain scored.

Źródło: The Hockey Museum, 'Kenya Hockey Olympians Conference, 2021', by Dil Bahra (hockeymuseum.org) · wiedza

It was India's biggest defeat in 184 internationals.

Źródło: The Hockey Museum, 'Kenya Hockey Olympians Conference, 2021', by Dil Bahra (hockeymuseum.org) · wiedza

It was India's last gold for 16 years.

Źródło: The Hockey Museum, 'Kenya Hockey Olympians Conference, 2021', by Dil Bahra (hockeymuseum.org) · wiedza

Results like these made Kenya a side everyone respected.

Źródło: The Hockey Museum, 'Kenya Hockey Olympians Conference, 2021', by Dil Bahra (hockeymuseum.org) · wiedza

Instead it went into a play-off against Australia.

Źródło: The Hockey Museum, 'Kenya Hockey Olympians Conference, 2021', by Dil Bahra (hockeymuseum.org) · wiedza

The first was in Melbourne in 1956.

Źródło: The Hockey Museum, 'Kenya Hockey Olympians Conference, 2021', by Dil Bahra (hockeymuseum.org) · wiedza

It ran across time zones from Calgary to Australia.

Źródło: The Hockey Museum, 'Kenya Hockey Olympians Conference, 2021', by Dil Bahra (hockeymuseum.org) · wiedza

Early 1960, summer 1960, 1964, 1968.

Źródło: The Hockey Museum, 'Kenya Hockey Olympians Conference, 2021', by Dil Bahra (hockeymuseum.org) · wiedza

07:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00, 23:00.

Źródło: The Hockey Museum, 'Kenya Hockey Olympians Conference, 2021', by Dil Bahra (hockeymuseum.org) · wiedza

A goal in the eighth extra period ended Kenya's run.

Źródło: The Hockey Museum, 'Kenya Hockey Olympians Conference, 2021', by Dil Bahra (hockeymuseum.org) · zastosowanie

All of them came from the same street.

Źródło: The Bridge, 'Throwback: the Indian village that produced 14 Olympians'; The Tribune, 15 July 2005; Village Square, 'Punjab's hockey villages' · wiedza

One more, Bindi Kular, played for Canada.

Źródło: The Bridge, 'Throwback: the Indian village that produced 14 Olympians'; The Tribune, 15 July 2005; Village Square, 'Punjab's hockey villages' · wiedza

It lies on the outskirts of Jalandhar.

Źródło: The Bridge, 'Throwback: the Indian village that produced 14 Olympians'; The Tribune, 15 July 2005; Village Square, 'Punjab's hockey villages' · wiedza

Their balls were woven from cotton thread.

Źródło: The Bridge, 'Throwback: the Indian village that produced 14 Olympians'; The Tribune, 15 July 2005; Village Square, 'Punjab's hockey villages' · wiedza

Five played for India and two for Kenya.

Źródło: The Bridge, 'Throwback: the Indian village that produced 14 Olympians'; The Tribune, 15 July 2005; Village Square, 'Punjab's hockey villages' · wiedza

Soldiers at the nearby cantonment inspired the villagers.

Źródło: The Bridge, 'Throwback: the Indian village that produced 14 Olympians'; The Tribune, 15 July 2005; Village Square, 'Punjab's hockey villages' · wiedza

He was the last of the village's 14 so far.

Źródło: The Bridge, 'Throwback: the Indian village that produced 14 Olympians'; The Tribune, 15 July 2005; Village Square, 'Punjab's hockey villages' · wiedza

1932, 1952, 1968, 2000.

Źródło: The Bridge, 'Throwback: the Indian village that produced 14 Olympians'; The Tribune, 15 July 2005; Village Square, 'Punjab's hockey villages' · wiedza

Nine, four and one.

Źródło: The Bridge, 'Throwback: the Indian village that produced 14 Olympians'; The Tribune, 15 July 2005; Village Square, 'Punjab's hockey villages' · wiedza

The village later had its own academy, with two proper pitches.

Źródło: The Bridge, 'Throwback: the Indian village that produced 14 Olympians'; The Tribune, 15 July 2005; Village Square, 'Punjab's hockey villages' · zastosowanie

Each country's first match was this one.

Źródło: The Hockey Museum, 'Centenary of Australia and New Zealand's first international matches' (hockeymuseum.org), with Geoff Watson and John Sanders · wiedza

With no one else near to play, they played each other.

Źródło: The Hockey Museum, 'Centenary of Australia and New Zealand's first international matches' (hockeymuseum.org), with Geoff Watson and John Sanders · wiedza

The Sportsground there is now Fitzherbert Park.

Źródło: The Hockey Museum, 'Centenary of Australia and New Zealand's first international matches' (hockeymuseum.org), with Geoff Watson and John Sanders · wiedza

New Zealand had led 3-0 at half-time.

Źródło: The Hockey Museum, 'Centenary of Australia and New Zealand's first international matches' (hockeymuseum.org), with Geoff Watson and John Sanders · wiedza

He held the top job from 1949 to 1957.

Źródło: The Hockey Museum, 'Centenary of Australia and New Zealand's first international matches' (hockeymuseum.org), with Geoff Watson and John Sanders · wiedza

The report says New Zealand was 'somewhat fortunate' to win.

Źródło: The Hockey Museum, 'Centenary of Australia and New Zealand's first international matches' (hockeymuseum.org), with Geoff Watson and John Sanders · wiedza

About 80 couples came to the dance at Zealandia Hall.

Źródło: The Hockey Museum, 'Centenary of Australia and New Zealand's first international matches' (hockeymuseum.org), with Geoff Watson and John Sanders · wiedza

4, 5, 80, about 1,500.

Źródło: The Hockey Museum, 'Centenary of Australia and New Zealand's first international matches' (hockeymuseum.org), with Geoff Watson and John Sanders · wiedza

The Australians came back in the second half, but not quite far enough.

Źródło: The Hockey Museum, 'Centenary of Australia and New Zealand's first international matches' (hockeymuseum.org), with Geoff Watson and John Sanders · wiedza

The hall was also hung with green-and-gold and green-and-black shields.

Źródło: The Hockey Museum, 'Centenary of Australia and New Zealand's first international matches' (hockeymuseum.org), with Geoff Watson and John Sanders · zastosowanie

The team's goalkeeper insists on the credit going to her, against her modesty.

Źródło: 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 · wiedza

It was drawn at the Games, out of a need to survive there.

Źródło: 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 · wiedza

She knew them from her parents' books.

Źródło: 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 · wiedza

They won the match, and with it a new belief.

Źródło: 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 · wiedza

They lost the final to the host nation.

Źródło: 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 · wiedza

The original was only a hand-drawn sketch.

Źródło: 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 · wiedza

The name means the lioness cubs.

Źródło: 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 · wiedza

2000, 2006, 2020, 2026.

Źródło: 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 · wiedza

2000, 2004, 2012, 2020.

Źródło: Olympedia, Olympic hockey medallists · wiedza

A nickname was born with a sketch.

Źródło: 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 · zastosowanie

He plays Kabir Khan, who has a score to settle with the past.

Źródło: 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' · wiedza

It came out just before Independence Day.

Źródło: 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' · wiedza

The script came from the writer Jaideep Sahni.

Źródło: 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' · wiedza

He is a former India captain, blamed for a defeat by Pakistan.

Źródło: 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' · wiedza

They come from all over India, and have to stop being states and become a team.

Źródło: 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' · wiedza

He said the film was no documentary of his life.

Źródło: 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' · wiedza

India wins it, in the way only cinema could allow.

Źródło: 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' · wiedza

1982, 2007, 2021.

Źródło: 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' · wiedza

2007, July 2018, August 2018.

Źródło: 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' · wiedza

India's best-known sports film put women's hockey on the map.

Źródło: 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' · zastosowanie

Critics compared it, not always kindly, to Chak De! India.

Źródło: 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' · wiedza

It is the story of India's first gold as a free nation.

Źródło: 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' · wiedza

She also co-wrote it.

Źródło: 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' · wiedza

Lal was India's captain in London in 1948.

Źródło: 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' · wiedza

He was India's drag-flick specialist.

Źródło: 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' · wiedza

He was paralysed for a time, and later returned to captain India.

Źródło: 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' · wiedza

The Punjabi star had Sandeep's own advice on the field.

Źródło: 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' · wiedza

2006, 2009, 2018.

Źródło: 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' · wiedza

1948, 1982, 2006.

Źródło: 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' · wiedza

His brother helped choreograph the film's hockey scenes.

Źródło: 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' · zastosowanie

157 men and 5 women, by that count.

Źródło: sikhsinhockey.com (Sikhs in Hockey, compiled by Dil Bahra); The Hockey Museum, 'Sikh Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org); FIH · wiedza

They include Kenya, Malaysia and Tanzania.

Źródło: sikhsinhockey.com (Sikhs in Hockey, compiled by Dil Bahra); The Hockey Museum, 'Sikh Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org); FIH · wiedza

One played for Kenya and the other for Canada.

Źródło: sikhsinhockey.com (Sikhs in Hockey, compiled by Dil Bahra); The Hockey Museum, 'Sikh Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org); FIH · wiedza

Amarjit, the keeper, and Harvinder, known as Gora.

Źródło: sikhsinhockey.com (Sikhs in Hockey, compiled by Dil Bahra); The Hockey Museum, 'Sikh Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org); FIH · wiedza

They are an old community in the Pacific islands.

Źródło: sikhsinhockey.com (Sikhs in Hockey, compiled by Dil Bahra); The Hockey Museum, 'Sikh Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org); FIH · wiedza

He coached at the Games in Melbourne.

Źródło: sikhsinhockey.com (Sikhs in Hockey, compiled by Dil Bahra); The Hockey Museum, 'Sikh Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org); FIH · wiedza

He has spent years documenting every player.

Źródło: sikhsinhockey.com (Sikhs in Hockey, compiled by Dil Bahra); The Hockey Museum, 'Sikh Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org); FIH · wiedza

5, 9, 157.

Źródło: sikhsinhockey.com (Sikhs in Hockey, compiled by Dil Bahra); The Hockey Museum, 'Sikh Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org); FIH · wiedza

The 1920s, 1956, the early 1960s, 1968.

Źródło: sikhsinhockey.com (Sikhs in Hockey, compiled by Dil Bahra); The Hockey Museum, 'Sikh Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org); FIH · wiedza

It remains a rare position for an unusually rare group.

Źródło: sikhsinhockey.com (Sikhs in Hockey, compiled by Dil Bahra); The Hockey Museum, 'Sikh Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org); FIH · zastosowanie

They were staged with cross country on 21-22 November.

Źródło: 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 · wiedza

They beat Massachusetts 4-1.

Źródło: 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 · wiedza

The NCAA soon took over 12 women's sports from another body.

Źródło: 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 · wiedza

The count is as of 2025, when another school took the title.

Źródło: 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 · wiedza

It has added six more since.

Źródło: 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 · wiedza

There was a year of dual championships before the changeover.

Źródło: 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 · wiedza

It came in 2001.

Źródło: 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 · wiedza

1922, 1972, 1981, 1984.

Źródło: 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 · wiedza

1981, 2000, 2001, 2025.

Źródło: 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 · wiedza

Two sports opened the NCAA's women's era together.

Źródło: 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 · zastosowanie

Replies to official requests have said this many times.

Źródło: 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' · wiedza

The answer surprised many people, including schoolchildren who had been taught otherwise.

Źródło: 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' · wiedza

Its record of Olympic and world titles is a big part of why.

Źródło: 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' · wiedza

A year after the country was founded. Other dates are also given.

Źródło: 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' · wiedza

Six in a row from 1928 to 1956 made the idea stick.

Źródło: 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' · wiedza

Dawn writes of the rise and fall of the official national sport.

Źródło: 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' · wiedza

A long run of titles was followed by decades of struggle.

Źródło: 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' · wiedza

1947, 1960, 1994.

Źródło: 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' · wiedza

1928, 1948, 2021.

Źródło: 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' · wiedza

It is one of the most repeated facts in Indian quizzes, and it's wrong.

Źródło: 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' · zastosowanie