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~The hockey legend was honoured with the Hockey India Main Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award at Hockey India sixth Annual Awards~
New Delhi, eleventh April 2024: Life got here full circle for Shri Ashok Kumar as he was awarded the Hockey India Main Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award, named after world-renowned hockey magician and his father, Main Dhyan Chand, on the Hockey India sixth Annual Awards 2023 in March this yr. He joins the illustrious firm of earlier winners; Balbir Singh Sr., Late. Capt. Shankar Laxman, Harbinder Singh, A S Bakshi, and Gurbux Singh.
Within the newest episode of Hockey Te Charcha, a podcast collection launched by Hockey India, Ashok Kumar expressed his feelings upon receiving the Hockey India Main Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award. He took us via the nerve-wracking 1975 World Cup Remaining in opposition to Pakistan via his eyes and shared anecdotes from the lifetime of his father Main Dhyan Chand. Ashok Kumar additionally make clear the hardships current Indian Males’s Hockey Group midfielder Vivek Sagar Prasad battled whereas coaching below him and outlined his expectations from the present squad on the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Talking concerning the significance of the award, Shri Ashok Kumar mentioned, “Undoubtedly, such moments while you get awarded in your efforts, if you find yourself recognised, make you are feeling proud however the impact of the award on the individuals round you and the children within the nationwide workforce is extra essential. I’m fortunate that I used to be awarded, within the title of my father Main Dhyan Chand, who unfold India’s title all through the world. I’m fortunate to face behind legendary gamers who’ve received the award earlier than me and I’ll at all times think about them to be above me in stature.”
“It’s a prestigious award, one of many highest honours you’ll be able to obtain in hockey however for me, it’s the title of my father Main Dhyan Chand that holds extra weightage. My entire household is delighted that I’ve joined a particular line of hockey legends and that the Dhyan Chand title will proceed to dwell on in historical past,” he added.
Shri Ashok Kumar was a part of the tremendously revered facet that received India’s solely World Cup title in 1975 by defeating Pakistan within the Remaining. Ashok Kumar at all times felt that he needed to emulate his father to one of the best of his skills however a Gold medal had eluded him in his profession until then. He was added solely because the sixteenth man within the squad earlier than the beginning of the 1975 World Cup and his possibilities of enjoying have been very slim. However as destiny would have it, Ashok Kumar was the one who scored to finish the 2-1 victory over Pakistan within the Remaining.
Recounting his recollections from the Remaining he mentioned, “We visited all of the temples potential to hope for our victory a day earlier than. On the day of the Remaining, the entire stadium was packed to the rafters however we had ready the best way we at all times did. I visualised myself enjoying the match, centered on the errors I’d made thus far in order that I don’t repeat them. I had nice chemistry with BP Govinda and we determined that if we misplaced the ball within the closing third, one in every of us would fall again to assist win the ball again and we utterly shut down Pakistan’s assault. Nevertheless, they scored in opposition to the run of play. After a heated halftime speak, Surjit Singh equalised via a penalty nook within the forty fourth minute. After which we unleashed all hell upon them. Within the 51st minute, Ajit Pal pushed the ball to me within the circle, I dodged a couple of gamers and handed to Victor Philips who handed again to me on a dime and I simply needed to faucet it to attain and seal our victory. After the ultimate whistle, I threw my hockey stick into the gang out of happiness and that’s once I realised, I may lastly stand with delight in entrance of my father, Gold medal in hand.”
After his retirement, Ashok Kumar started teaching kids and the present workforce options two of his disciples; Vivek Sagar Prasad and Nilakanta Sharma. They’re presently in Australia, making ready themselves for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Stating his expectations for the present Indian Males’s Hockey Group, Ashok Kumar mentioned, “Folks have been hockey fanatics again once I used to play, there was a delight related to the game in India. No different nation has been capable of match the feat of India profitable 8 gold medals and we’ve got to guard this legacy at any value. I consider this set of gamers can do it; they’ve been controlling video games just lately and have showcased unity. I’m certain this workforce has the profitable spirit which might place India on the rostrum, will they stand on the highest for the ninth time and restore the previous glory is all that’s left to see.”
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