Dhyan Chand birthday special – 10 interesting facts about India’s legendary sportsman

Indian hockey team in 1936 Berlin Olympics. Dhyan Chand (standing second from left).

On August 29, 1905, one of India’s greatest sportsmen Major Dhyan Chand was born. Arguably one of world’s best hockey players ever, Dhyan Chand’s life had some interesting stories. We bring to you, some interesting facts about his life. Have a read and check how well do you know the legendary Indian.

1) In honour of arguably the greatest hockey player of all time, the National Hockey stadium in Delhi was renamed as Dhyan Chand National Stadium in 2002.

2) Dhyan Chand helped India win three Olympic gold medal in 1928, 1932 and 1936.

3) Dhyan Chand joined the Indian army at the age of 16. In 1956, he retired with the rank of a Major.

4) Once, while playing a game of hockey, Dhyan Chand was not able to score a goal against the opposition team. After being unable to score despite several attempts, he argued with the referee over the measurement of the goal post, and surprisingly, it was found to not be in conformation with the official width of a goal post under international rules

5) Netherlands: in one of Dhayn Chand’s visits to the Netherlands, the authorities broke his hockey stick to check if there was a magnet inside.

6) Austria: Residents of Vienna, have set up a statue of Dhyan Chand with four hands and four sticks in honour of his wizardy.

7) Germany: According to legends, Adolf Hitler had offered Dhyan Chand German citizenship and a position in the German Military following his brilliant performance in the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

8) England: Regarded as one 359 Olympic heroes. A tube station in London has been named after Dhyan Chand. An astro-turf pitch at the Indian Gymkhana Club in London is also named after him.

9) Australia: Arguably the greatest cricketer of all time, Sir Don Bradman on seeing Dhyan Chand said, “You score goals like runs”.

10) ‘Goal’ is the autobiography of Dhyan Chand, published in 1952.

There has been a call from a long time to award Dhyan Chand the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian honour.