Dhyan Chand

Biography

Major Dhyan Chand (29 August 1905 – 3 December 1979) was an Indian field hockey player, regarded by many as the greatest field hockey player in history. 

He was known for his extraordinary ball control and goal-scoring feats, in addition to earning three Olympic gold medals, in 1928, 1932, and 1936, during an era when India dominated field hockey. 

His influence extended beyond these victories, as India won the field hockey event in seven out of eight Olympics from 1928 to 1964.

Known as The Wizard or The Magician of hockey for his superb ball control, Chand played internationally from 1926 to 1949, where he scored 570 goals in 185 matches according to his autobiography, Goal, and over 1000 goals in his entire domestic and international career. 

BBC called him the "hockey's equivalent of Muhammad Ali". The Government of India awarded Chand India's third highest civilian honor, the Padma Bhushan in 1956. 

His birthday, 29 August, is celebrated as National Sports Day in India every year. India's highest sporting honor, the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award is named after him.

Chand was born in Allahabad on 29 August 1905 in a Rajput family to Sharadha Singh[citation needed] and Sameshwar Singh. Chand's father was enlisted in the British Indian Army, where he played hockey for the army. 

He had two brothers – Mool Singh and Roop Singh, the latter was also a hockey player. Because of his father's numerous army transfers, the family had to move to different cities, and as such Chand had to terminate his education after only six years of schooling. The family finally settled in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Chand studied at the Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, and finally graduated from Victoria College, Gwalior in 1932. Being in the military, his father got a small piece of land for a house.

Young Chand had no serious inclination towards sports though he loved wrestling. 

He stated that he did not remember whether he played any hockey worth mentioning before he joined the Army, though he said that he occasionally indulged in casual games in Jhansi with his friends.