New Delhi: As India gears up to celebrate 100 years of Indian hockey on November 7, 2025, hockey veteran Gurbux Singh, 90, recalled the most cherished moments of his illustrious career, highlighting India’s 1964 Olympic gold and 1966 Asian Games gold victories against Pakistan.
Hockey India launched a month-long campaign to mark the centenary of the sport in the country, commemorating the formation of India’s first hockey administrative body on November 7, 1925. The Indian men’s hockey team won its first Olympic gold in 1928 in Amsterdam, defeating the Netherlands, and went on to secure a record eight Olympic golds, including six consecutive wins from 1928 to 1956. India reclaimed Olympic glory against Pakistan in Tokyo 1964, followed by the last gold in Moscow 1980. The Indian team has also excelled in Asian Games and Hockey World Cups, with multiple gold, silver, and bronze medals.
Reflecting on his career, Gurbux Singh, the only player known to wear glasses on the field—earning him the nickname “Professor” from Pakistani players—said, “Being part of India’s hockey legacy has been an immense joy. Winning Olympic gold in 1964 against Pakistan and then defeating them again in the 1966 Asian Games final are moments closest to my heart. Back then, an Olympic victory meant you were the world champion, as the Hockey World Cup did not exist yet.”

He emphasized the historic India-Pakistan rivalry, calling it the greatest in hockey history. “We always played Pakistan as if it were any other match we had to win. Despite fierce competition on the field, there was never any personal enmity. Many Pakistani players were Punjabis affected by the Partition. After the 1965 war, our 1966 Asian Games victory was all the more significant,” he added. Gurbux Singh’s reflections underscore the rich heritage and pride of Indian hockey as the nation approaches its centenary celebrations.
