Dhyan Chand was an Indian hockey player, who used to represent India internationally from 1925 to 1948.  He was not only one of the most successful hockey players in this country but also the greatest sports personality in the history of this sport. He led the Indian hockey team to win their three consecutive Olympics gold medals since 1928 in men’s field hockey category.

His impeccable talent brought him several prestigious nicknames from his fellow players including ‘the hockey wizard’ and ‘the magician of hockey’. Dhyan Chand has made numerous records and achieved numbers of achievements with his wins in his two-decade-long career.

He had no inclination towards sport during his childhood, but once he accompanied his father for a hockey match to an army camp at the age of 14 and got his interest in this sport instantly. Dhyan Chand began his professional career in 1925  and got selected for the national team of India right away after his first international hat-trick.

He made his Olympics debut in 1928 with the Amsterdam Summer Olympics and became the leading goal-scorer of that tournament with 14 goals. His back-to-back performances for the team led him to the post of captain in 1947 and he captained the squad for 1 year till his retirement from the national team in 1948.

After this, he used to play army hockey with the rank of Major and constituted it will 1956 at the age of 51. He died on 3rd of December 1979 due to some health issues but still remembered as one of the jewels of Indian sports for his undeniable achievements in this sport.
(as Compiled by Madhushree Das Ghosh)
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