Till today, Hockey has been the only team sport in which India has won an Olympic Gold Medal. Here is some Hockey Trivia:
1. The period from 1928-1956 is considered to be the ‘golden era’ of Indian Hockey as you may all know. Furthermore, India scored 178 goals (at an average of 7.43 goals per match) and conceded only 7 goals during this period.
2. Interestingly, all the 11 medals won by India at the Olympics (8 Gold, 1 Silver and 2 Bronze) have come under different captains.
3. The first Hockey World Cup was hosted by Spain in the year 1971. This cup was won by Pakistan. Interestingly, Pakistan was slated to host the Inaugural World Cup but due to a tense standoff between India andPakistan over the situation in East Pakistan, the venue of the World Cup was shifted to the Spanish city ofBarcelona.
4. Nine Countries have hosted the 11 world cups so far. It has been held in Netherlands and Malaysia twice. Only 2 countries have managed to win the World Cup whilst hosting it. Amazingly, The Netherlands have won the World Cup both the times when they hosted it. Germany won the World Cup at home in 2006.
5. A unique event took place at the 197 World Cup which India won eventually. A Pakistan-New Zealand pool match in this World Cup was split over two grounds due to heavy rain. Pakistan scored in both halves to win this match 2-0 and eventually came 2nd in this event.
6. Believe it or Not, Douglas Knapp is the only player to represent 2 countries at a Hockey World Cup. He represented Canada in the 1986 World Cup and Scotland at the corresponding Inter-Continental Cup, which was a qualifier for the event and was held a year prior to the World Cup.
7. Hans Jorritsma led his country Netherlands to victory in the 1990 Hockey World Cup as a coach. Four years later in 1994, he celebrated another World Cup triumph. Only this time he had switched to Pakistan as their assistant coach!
The above facts are to commemorate the 12th Hockey World Cup which is beginning on this Sunday (28thFebruary). Keep supporting India and Hockey, India’s National Sport.
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