~ Exhibition competition, congratulation of legends and unveiling of a special photo exhibition on the occasion of the centenary ~
~ The Nationwide Hockey Festival involves more than 36,000 players across 500 districts ~
~Commemorative book on 100 years of Indian hockey unveiled at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium ~
New Delhi, November 7, 2025: The Sports Authority of India and Hockey India celebrated 100 years of Indian hockey on Friday with a grand anniversary event at the historic Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi. The milestone was celebrated by Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports and Labor and Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of Parliamentary and Minority Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju, Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru Udhayanidhi Stalin, Minister of Sports and Youth Welfare, Odisha, Shri Suryabanshi Suraj, President of FIH, Dato Tayyab Ikram, along with other dignitaries, hockey legends and members of the national teams.
The celebration marked a century of sporting excellence, pride and unity, honoring the journey of Indian hockey from its inception in 1925 to its revival in modern times.
Union Sports Minister Dr. Expressing his pride in being part of this milestone, Mandaviya noted that “the sport has gone through many phases, and it was through hockey at the Olympics that we showed the world what India can achieve in sports. Since then, we have never looked back. With its rich history, Indian hockey is once again on the rise and on its way to another Olympic medal. As the country celebrates over 1,000 matches being played across the country today, the entire Bharat is enjoying this proud moment. The Government of India will continue to support us.” players and the sport in every possible way, I congratulate Hockey India, the players, coaches and fans for being part of this remarkable journey.
Reflecting on the historic day, Minister for Parliamentary and Minority Affairs Shri Kiren Rijiju said, “I consider myself fortunate to be standing here among the legends of the game on this special occasion. It has been a long and inspiring journey for Indian hockey. I congratulate Hockey India for honoring our greats alongside the current stars, merging our rich history with our promising future. Congratulations to everyone who has been part of this incredible journey.”
Dato Tayyab Ikram, President of FIH, commented: “It is a pleasure to be part of this historic milestone for Indian hockey. Today we express our gratitude to our legends, players, fans and administrators who have shaped this journey. India has led the way in world hockey through 100 years of resilience and innovation. I thank the Government of India and Hockey India for their continued support. India’s revival at the Tokyo and Paris Olympics shows its strength, and I am confident that the next Hundred Years will be even brighter for Indian hockey.”
A practice match between the Minister of Sports’ XI, led by Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, and the Hockey India XI, led by Dr. Dilip Tirkey, set the tone for the day. The match ended in a 3-1 win for the Sports Ministry XI, with goals from Beauty Dungdung, Salima Tete and Krishna Pathak, while Manpreet Singh scored for Hockey India XI.
Hockey India also congratulated some of the game’s most celebrated icons in recognition of their lasting contributions to the sport and their inspiration to generations of players. The legends of the game were honored during the ceremony
- Brigadier General Harcharan Singh VSM
Another highlight of the day was the launch of the commemorative book ‘100 Years of Indian Hockey’, which chronicles the sport’s journey through a century of triumphs, challenges and revival. A special photo exhibition also provided a rare glimpse into the remarkable history of Indian hockey through archival photographs, Olympic moments and memorabilia depicting the evolution of the sport from the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics to the present.
As Tamil Nadu prepared to host the 2025 FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Championship, the coveted trophy was also on display, marking the start of a 20-city trophy tour. To complement the festivities, singer and composer Siddharth Mahadevan delivered a series of energetic live performances, which captivated attendees and highlighted the festive note of the occasion.
A nation united in celebration
To extend the centenary celebrations across the country, a nationwide hockey festival was simultaneously organized in 500 districts, with more than 36,000 players participating in more than 1,000 practice matches. The initiative brought together school athletes, veterans and community teams, transforming the milestone into a truly national celebration of the sport.
Dr. Dilip Tirkey, Chairman of Hockey India, said: “It is an honor for me to stand here in the stadium where I attended my first camp and played my first major tournament. Today is a tribute to those who laid the foundation of Indian hockey a century ago and to every player who has brought glory to the country through this sport. We must also recognize all the stakeholders who work tirelessly for the promotion of hockey, including the Government of India who has given us immense support. I am confident that there will be many more moments in the years to come of pride will wait for us.”
Shri Bholanath Singh, Secretary General of Hockey India, expressed his gratitude to everyone who made this milestone possible: “A special thanks to the Government of India for making this celebration a reality and to all the esteemed dignitaries present here today. This moment belongs to the entire hockey fraternity, and we are proud to celebrate it in every state. I also thank our state member units for their continued support and contribution to taking the sport forward.”
Ends