Hockey’s magician Dhyan Chand’s legacy endures in Visakhapatnam

National Sports Day in India coincides with the birthday of hockey icon Major Dhyan Chand, and hockey enthusiasts in Visakhapatnam have been reflecting on his lasting impact on the sport. District Sports Development Officer June Gallyot revealed a personal connection to the Dhyan Chand family, explaining that she played alongside his granddaughter, Nidhi, and that his son, Ashok Kumar, was also a renowned player.

Peter Das, a former national hockey player and coach, credited school documentaries of Dhyan Chand's exploits for inspiring his own interest in the game, as he watched the Indian team triumph and display their exceptional skill in 1976-77. Noel Treasure, the president of the Friends Hockey Association, described Dhyan Chand as a transformative figure whose "magical" stickwork transformed hockey from a British import into a globally recognized sport.

S. Ravi Shankar, the former president and patron of the Friends Hockey Association, recalled the sport's popularity in the 1970s, crediting Dhyan Chand's dominance for India's global reputation as a hockey powerhouse. During India's 8-1 victory over Germany in the 1936 Berlin Olympics final, Hitler offered Dhyan Chand a commission in the German army, which the legendary player declined out of loyalty to his nation.

Dhyan Chand led India to Olympic gold medals in 1928, 1932, and 1936, and remains the most decorated figure in the history of Indian hockey. Gallyot emphasized that National Sports Day should serve as a reminder to bring back the glory of hockey in Visakhapatnam.