NEW DELHI: The Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, announced today the official start of the centenary celebrations marking 100 Years of Indian Hockey (1925–2025). The grand event, organized in association with Hockey India, will commence on November 7 at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi, supported by parallel grassroots events across the nation.
The celebrations are designed to honour India’s rich hockey heritage, which includes a legacy of eight Olympic gold medals and 13 Olympic podium finishes. The initiative will not be confined to the capital; it is set to become a nationwide festival of the sport:
Dr. Mandaviya stated, “Hockey is more than just a sport for India — it is part of our identity and collective spirit. The celebrations across more than 550 districts will not only highlight our legacy but also take the story of Indian hockey to every corner of the nation, inspiring young boys and girls to pick up the stick and play with passion.”
Hockey India President Dr. Dilip Tirkey called the centenary a “deeply emotional and proud moment,” adding, “As we celebrate this centenary, our focus is on strengthening the game from the grassroots, empowering both men and women equally, and preparing our teams to reach the pinnacle of world hockey once again.”
The Sports Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the sport, noting that men’s and women’s hockey are priority sports under schemes like the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) and Target Asian Games Group (TAGG). He concluded, “Our vision is clear — to make India one of the top sporting nations in the world by 2036… we will continue to nurture young talent, expand access to sport, and ensure that India’s tricolour flies high on every international stage.”
