At the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi, Indian hockey's glorious past converged with its ambitious present on Friday, November 7, 2025, during a grand centenary celebration. The Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Hockey India jointly hosted the event, honoring the sport's legacy, its legends, and its resurgence on the global stage.
The stadium, a historic venue filled with golden memories, came alive to honor the heroes who shaped India's hockey story across generations. The event was attended by key figures, including Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports and Labour & Employment Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of Parliamentary and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju, Odisha Minister of Sports and Youth Services Suryabanshi Suraj, FIH President Dato Tayyab Ikram, hockey legends, and members of the national teams.
The celebrations commenced with an exhibition match between the Sports Ministry XI, captained by Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, and the Hockey India XI, captained by Dr. Dilip Tirkey. The Sports Ministry XI won 3-1, with goals from Beauty Dungdung, Salima Tete, and Krishna Pathak, while Manpreet Singh scored for Hockey India XI. This match symbolized unity across eras and genders, with players from both the men's and women's national teams participating.
The ceremony honored celebrated legends, including Gurbux Singh, Harbinder Singh, Ajith Pal Singh, Ashok Kumar, B.P. Govinda, Aslam Sher Khan, Zafar Iqbal, Brigadier Harcharan Singh VSM, Vineet Kumar, Romeo James, Asunta Lakra, and Subhadra Pradhan.
A commemorative book, "100 Years of Indian Hockey," chronicling the sport's journey, was launched alongside a photo exhibition showcasing archival photographs, Olympic moments, and memorabilia from the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics to the present day.
The centenary celebrations extended nationwide through the Hockey Festival, engaging over 36,000 players across 500 districts in more than 1,000 exhibition matches. This festival united school athletes, veterans, and community teams, transforming the event into a nationwide celebration of hockey.
With Tamil Nadu set to host the FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup 2025, the tournament trophy was displayed, marking the start of a 20-city trophy tour. Singer and composer Siddharth Mahadevan added to the festive atmosphere with a live performance.
Dr. Mandaviya reflected on hockey's historic achievements, noting its prominent place for India at the Olympics. Kiren Rijiju praised the legacy of Indian hockey, acknowledging the blend of past legends and current stars. FIH President Dato Tayyab Ikram lauded India's century-long contribution to world hockey and highlighted the country's recent resurgence at the Tokyo and Paris Olympics.
Dr. Dilip Tirkey reflected on the day's significance, paying tribute to those who laid the foundation for Indian hockey a century ago and acknowledging the Government of India's support. He also shared his personal connection to the stadium, recalling his early training days. Bholanath Singh, Secretary General of Hockey India, expressed gratitude to all stakeholders and State Member Units for their contributions.
