When Indian hockey team sign autographs to raise money for earthquake victims

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(Saurabh Duggal)

Recalling an incident when Dhyan Chand raised money for earthquake victims in Quetta in 1935 by signing autographs, Ashok said, “During the New Zealand tour in 1935, Dhyan Chand was a great hit among the locals, and the local newspapers were full of praise for the Indian legend. One newspaper wrote a headline: ‘The Indians Call It Hockey – We Call It Magic. The magnetic personality of Dhyan Chand must be seen to be believed.’ The Indian hockey team was mobbed by autograph hunters during their stay in Timaru. So, the team decided to charge sixpence for the team autographs, and the money collected was given to the Indian earthquake relief fund for Quetta.”

It was during the 1935 New Zealand tour that cricket great Don Bradman watched Dhyan Chand play and commented that “he scores goals like I score runs in cricket.”

Before the 1932 Olympics, Dhyan Chand was stationed in the Bannu-Kohat region, and the army didn’t relieve him for the nationals. Similarly, at the time of the 1936 Olympics, the army didn’t give him permission to play in the nationals. Despite this, without any formalities, he was included in the team for both Olympics, even leading the side in the 1936 Olympics.

Dhyan Chand was also awarded a gallantry medal for his service in the North-West Frontier Province, which was considered a tough posting at that time.

As India was a British colony, government support for sports was scarce. For the 1932 Olympics, the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) had to take a loan of Rs 9,000 from Punjab National Bank.

“For the Los Angeles Olympics, the players decided to forego all out-of-pocket allowances (£2 per week), and on the return journey across Europe, the team played matches to raise funds so that the loan could be repaid,” said Ashok, while referencing the story of the 1932 Olympics in Dhyan Chand’s autobiography, 'Goal'

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https://www.pixstory.com/story/dhyan-chands-lasting-impact-in-punjab-and-beyond1724943186/326506

Also Read in BBC Punjabi

https://www.bbc.com/punjabi/articles/c80e11m0km3o