From Kashmere Gate to Shivaji Stadium: Delhi’s century of hockey glory

Year 1928. The Indian hockey team won the gold medal at the Amsterdam Olympics. Among that victorious team was Michael Anthony Gatley, a full-back from Kashmere Gate in the Capital. During that era, Kashmere Gate was the hub of hockey activities in Delhi. Back then, many Anglo-Indian families lived in areas such as Kashmere Gate, Nicholson Road, Mori Gate, and Chabi Ganj. As Indian hockey celebrated its 100th anniversary on November 7, it is worth revisiting Delhi’s rich hockey history.

Anglo-Indians in Delhi, mostly employed at the GPO or other post offices in and around Kashmere Gate, had a remarkable passion for hockey. Today, hardly any Anglo-Indian families remain in the neighbourhood.

The Gentle era

After Gatley came another famous Olympian from Kashmere Gate — RS Gentle (not an Anglo-Indian). Born in Kashmere Gate, Gentle was a member of the Indian hockey team at the 1948 (London), 1952 (Helsinki), and 1956 (Melbourne) Olympics. He was an exceptional full-back and captained the team in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. Thanks to his field goal, India defeated Pakistan in the final.

Gentle was such a tough player that opponents would often plead, “Please, be gentle.”

Rise of the National Stadium

The year 1933 was significant for Delhi’s hockey. The National Stadium (now known as the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium) was built through the efforts of the Maharaja of Bhavnagar in Gujarat. It became a fortress for the sport. The Indian team that won gold at the 1948 London Olympics played an exhibition match here in front of President Rajendra Prasad and Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

Renowned hockey player and administrator Kukku Walia, who has followed Delhi’s hockey for over six decades, says the National Stadium hosted the 1951 Asian Games, where hockey matches drew thousands of spectators.

Delhi’s Olympian greats

Photos of India’s top hockey players — Harbinder Singh, Ajit Pal Singh, Gurbaksh Singh, and Mohinder Lal — adorn the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Harbinder and Mohinder were key members of the gold-winning team at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and hailed from Delhi. Mohinder Lal, from Pahar Ganj, scored India’s winning goal in that final. Harbinder Singh was from Minto Road. Joginder Singh (Jogi paaji), also from Delhi, was part of the team before moving to Kolkata.

Mohinder and Harbinder played extensively at the National Stadium and Shivaji Stadium. In the 1980 Moscow Olympics, when India won hockey gold again, MK Kaushik — a true-blue Delhiite and Kirori Mal College alumnus — was in the squad.

New arenas, same passion

The Nehru Hockey Tournament commenced in 1964 at the Shivaji Stadium (formerly known as Harding Ground), attracting teams from across the country. Former Indian team captain Ashok Kumar once said that he played at the Shivaji Stadium for decades and received immense love from the spectators. Legends like Ajit Pal Singh, Surjit Singh, Zafar Iqbal, and Mohammed Shahid showcased their brilliance here.

Celebrated hockey commentator Anupam Ghulati says all the great hockey players of India over the last six decades have played at Shivaji Stadium. There was a time when thousands flocked here to watch the dribbling skills of Zafar Iqbal and Mohammed Shahid.

Also read: Shanti Van: Delhi’s quiet refuge that still echoes Nehru’s ideals

Praise from Pak hockey captain

Major Dhyan Chand spent some years in Bannu (now in Pakistan) while serving in the Army. Pakistan’s hockey captain Abdul Rashid once said that Dhyan Chand introduced hockey there; the whole town gathered to watch him play.

Rashid, a centre-half who captained Pakistan at the 1972 Munich Olympics and coached at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, was posted to Pakistan International Airlines’ Delhi office in 1980. Watching matches at Shivaji Stadium, he was spotted by Delhi players Kukku Walia and Bhupinder Singh. When he expressed interest in playing, he was immediately offered a place in Khalsa Blues. Rashid played a few matches, occasionally displaying flashes of brilliance, and also mentored young players. After roughly three years in Delhi, he returned to Pakistan in 1983. He passed away some years ago.

Union Academy’s hockey factory

Right behind Shivaji Stadium, Union Academy School has hockey in its DNA. No other school in Delhi has produced as many exceptional players. Olympian Sumit Kumar, Arjuna Awardee Vineet Kumar, Gagan Ajit Singh, and former India coach Harendra Singh are all alumni of this institution. Children are said to start playing hockey as soon as they enrol. The school has won the Mohan Singh Hockey Championship (four times), the SS Mota Singh Hockey Championship, and the All-India Nehru Hockey Championship (three times each).