Celebration of 100 Years of Indian Hockey at Major Dhyan Chand Stadium
Date: 7 November 2025
The centenary of Indian hockey was celebrated at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium. Several legendary players attended the historic occasion, and many former players were honored for their contributions to the sport. A match was played between the Sports Minister XI and Hockey India XI, where the Sports Minister XI won 3-1.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya stated that the journey of hockey in India has been remarkable. The celebration included Olympic gold medalists Gurbrakhsh Singh and Aslam Sher Khan, among other hockey legends. Hockey India honored several distinguished players for their contributions, including Gurbrakhsh Singh, Aslam Sher Khan, Harbinder Singh, Ajit Pal Singh, Ashok Kumar, BP Govinda, Zafar Iqbal, Brigadier Harcharan Singh, Vineet Kumar, Mir Ranjan Negi, Romeo James, Asunta Lakra, and Subhadra Pradhan.
Central Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju, and Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Thiru Udhayanidhi Stalin also attended the event and appreciated the remarkable journey of Indian hockey.
The centenary celebration began with an exhibition match between the Sports Minister XI, led by Mandaviya, and Hockey India XI, captained by Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey. The Sports Minister XI won 3-1 with goals by Beauty Dungdung, Salima Tete, and Krishna Pathak, while Manpreet Singh scored the only goal for Hockey India XI. Both men’s and women’s national team players participated in the match.
The event also featured the release of the commemorative book “100 Years of Indian Hockey” and a special photo exhibition displaying rare archival images, Olympic memorabilia, and historic artifacts showcasing hockey’s journey from the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics to the modern era. The FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup 2025 trophy was also displayed.
Dilip Tirkey expressed that returning to the stadium, where his hockey journey began, was an emotional experience.