Punjab in sports – Patronage from Patiala Royals, Army and sports culture

 Part 3 of 9 Part Series-3/9

Apart from hockey, Punjab has consistently contributed to athletics, and in almost every Indian Olympic contingent, there has been a presence from the state. From the late sixties to the present, the state has maintained a strong presence in the Olympic shooting squad. Sportspersons from Punjab have made it to the Olympics in various other sports disciplines as well.

“Punjab's contribution to the country’s Olympic medalists largely comes from hockey. Since the time Indian hockey made its Olympic debut, there has been no team, from 1928 to the present, without a player from Punjab in its ranks,” said Col. Balbir Singh, an Olympic bronze medalist in hockey.

“Hockey was introduced to India by the British, and it gradually came to Punjab through the Indian army. Due to their robust physique and temperament to fight back, the people of Punjab adapted well to the sport, and gradually, Punjab became a powerhouse in hockey,” said RS Gill, former Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab and a sports patron. “In the pre-independence era, Lahore was the biggest education hub in Punjab Province, and the colleges in Lahore played an important role in promoting hockey. Most of the players from Punjab making it to the Olympic squads in the pre-independence era were from the Panjab University.”

Though hockey gave India the podium finish in the pre-independence era, there were also participants from India in other sports, and Punjab Province had a presence in athletics, cycling, lawn tennis, and wrestling.

“The Patiala Royal Family contributed significantly to the Indian Olympic movement, which helped Punjab gain momentum in sports disciplines, especially those that are part of the Olympics. In the 97 years of existence of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), the Patiala family, led by Maharaja Bhupendra Singh (1928-38), Maharaja Yadavindra Singh (1938-60), and Raja Bhalindra Singh (1960-76 & 1980-84), headed the national Olympic body for 52 years. Furthermore, Raja Randhir Singh served as its general secretary for another 25 years (1987 to 2012),” said Raja KS Sidhu, Secretary-General-cum-Chief Executive Officer of Punjab Olympic Association.

Continued..

Read-Part-4

https://www.pixstory.com/story/punjab-in-sports-post-partition-east-punjab1721055386/322662