What you did not know about hockey wizard Dian Chand

His exploits on the court are well known but what was Dhyan Chand like outside of it? Here’s a look at some of the things you may not have known about the hockey legend.

As a field magician, Dhyan Chand’s contribution to the hockey world is well known.

Whether it was his first taste of the game in the army barracks as a teenager or his spectacular performances at the three Olympics – 1928, 1932 and 1936 – Dhyan Chand was at the forefront of the hockey renaissance in India.

As the nation celebrates the birth anniversary of a great hockey player on Saturday with National Sports Day, here’s a look at some lesser-known facts about the great hockey player.

Fundraising for earthquake victims

Quetta (now in Pakistan) was the epicenter of a devastating earthquake that killed more than 50,000 people in 1935.

With India – then an English colony – stretched out to help, Dian Chand took it upon himself to raise some much-needed money his own way.

Archived: May 31, 1935. #Quetta Earth Quake Hovac. pic.twitter.com/YdJjIVkE

– Shiraz Hassan (@ShirazHassan) December 26, 2012

On the tour of Australia and New Zealand before the 1936 Olympics, the then Indian hockey captain, Dian Chand, sold his autographs to fans as part of a fundraising campaign for earthquake victims. He was joined by Vice Captain M. N. Masoud in this noble cause.

Don meeting

The Indian hockey team Down Under tour was special to Diane Chand in more ways than one.

While it proved to be a perfect tuning before the 1936 Berlin Olympics, the team also ended up meeting legendary Australian batsman Sir Donald Bradman in Adelaide.

Diane Chand also participated in cricket, where he was once famous for making bowlers sweat during a friendly match at Mount Abu in 1961. Photo: Ashok Kumar Diane Chand also participated in cricket, where he once became famous for making bowlers sweat during a match Friendly in Mount Abu in 1961 Photo: Ashok Kumar

Upon seeing the hockey wizard in action, the great cricketer couldn’t stop praising Dhyan Chand. Don Bradman said, “You score goals like running cricket.”

“I am especially happy to welcome the Indian players because they are better than the hockey fans,” added the prolific hitter. “We will have the opportunity to learn something from them. I hope this visit is a precursor to an Indian cricket team.”

While India started playing Test cricket in 1932, their first visit to Australia was their 1947-48 tour. Don Bradman scored 715 points in that series, with an average of 178.75.

A special place for the Beighton Cup

While Dhyan Chand delighted the world with his skills, the Beighton Cup in Calcutta maintained a special place in his heart.

During the golden period, the Beighton Cup and the Aga Khan Championship (in Bombay) served as the lifeblood of Indian hockey.

East Bengal hockey team that won the BHA Leahue and Beighton Cup in 1974, Captain Inderjit Singh, Kushal Kumar, Olympian Joginder Singh, Devinder Bhanot and Sayeed can be seen along with President DN Bhattacharya pic.twitter.com/TIOXLERb4E

– Gautam Roy (@gautamfootball) July 23, 2020

Every player aspiring to achieve great hockey success viewed these competitions as the perfect platform to impress interested men. And it was no different for Diane Chand.

“I have always considered this competition (the Peyton Cup) as the blue ribbon of Indian hockey. In my opinion, this is probably the best organized hockey event in the country,” Dhyan Chand wrote about the competition in his Goal autobiography.

London tube without the name Diane Chand

While the commemorative postage and statue outside the National Hockey Stadium in New Delhi are known dedications to the hockey handler, not many know that prior to the 2012 London Olympics, the name Dhyan Chand made its way into the London tube as well.

Watford Junction was renamed Dhyan Chand before the 2012 London Olympics. Photo: Instagram / IOAWatford Junction Renamed after Dhyan Chand before the 2012 London Olympics. Photo: Instagram / IOA

As part of their preparations for the London Games, the organizers decided to rename 361 train stations on the London Underground network after the famous Olympic figures. This included stars such as Michael Phelps, Muhammad Ali and Jesse Owens, among others.

From India, the organizers chose three names. Diane Chand, his brother Rob Singh, and Leslie Claudius. While Watford Junction was renamed Dhyan Chand, Watford High Street took the name Roop Singh and Bushey Heath had the name Claudius.

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