New Delhi, 11th April 2024 : Shri Ashok Kumar received a big award for his lifetime achievements in hockey. It’s called the Hockey India Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award, named after his famous father. He got it at the Hockey India 6th Annual Awards in March 2023. Some other famous hockey players have also won this award before.
Ashok Kumar talked about his feelings when he got the award on a podcast called Hockey Te Charcha. He shared stories from his dad’s life, who was also a great hockey player. He also talked about a tense match he played in 1975 against Pakistan. Ashok Kumar also mentioned the challenges faced by Vivek Sagar Prasad, a player he coached, and what he expects from the current Indian Men’s Hockey Team for the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
Shri Ashok Kumar talked about why getting the award is important. He said, “When you work hard and get recognized for it, it feels great. But what’s even more important is how the award affects the people around you and inspires young players in the national team. I feel fortunate to receive this award, especially because it’s named after my father, Major Dhyan Chand, who made India proud worldwide. I’m grateful to stand among the legendary players who received this award before me, and I’ll always see them as role models.”
He also mentioned, “This award is a big deal, one of the highest honors in hockey. But for me, what matters most is honoring my father’s legacy. My family is thrilled that I’m now part of a special group of hockey greats, and that the name of Dhyan Chand will always be remembered in history.”
Ashok Kumar was part of the special team that won India’s only World Cup in 1975 by beating Pakistan in the final match. He always wanted to be like his father, who was a great hockey player, but he hadn’t won any big medals himself. He was only added to the team as the 16th player, and it seemed unlikely he would get to play. But in the final match against Pakistan, fate smiled on him, and he scored the winning goal, securing the victory for India.
He remembered the Final well. Before the big game, they went to lots of temples to pray for a win. When the Final came, the stadium was packed. But they were ready. He pictured himself playing the game, focused on not making the same mistakes. He worked closely with his teammate BP Govinda. They had a plan: if they lost the ball near the goal, one of them would drop back to help get it back. They stopped Pakistan from scoring for a while, but then Pakistan got a goal unexpectedly. At halftime, their coach gave them a pep talk. They managed to tie the game, then went on the attack. They scored again and again. Finally, he got a perfect pass and scored the winning goal. He felt so proud holding the gold medal, especially in front of his father.
After he stopped working, Ashok Kumar started teaching young people. Two of his students, Vivek Sagar Prasad and Nilakanta Sharma, are now part of the current team. They are in Australia getting ready for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Ashok Kumar hopes the current Indian Men’s Hockey Team will do well. He remembers how passionate people were about hockey when he played. India has won 8 gold medals, a record no other country has matched. Ashok wants the team to keep this legacy alive. He believes the players are capable, as they’ve been doing well lately and seem united. Ashok thinks they have what it takes to win and bring India back to the top. He’s excited to see if they can make it happen and restore the glory of the past.
