Great Opportunity For Indian Hockey Team To Repeat Gold-Medal Winning Feat Of 1964 Olympics At Tokyo Games: Harbinder Singh

In the last of the series of columns commemorating the one year countdown for Tokyo Olympics next year, Hockey India had some interesting insights from on off their yesteryear stalwarts Harbinder Singh, who was part of India's Gold Medal Winning Team in 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games.

The Indian hockey team was the dominant powerhouse in field hockey for over three decades from the 30s to the 60s. During this period, the sub continent giants ruled over world hockey, clinching seven Olympic Golds from 1928 to 1964. Hockey India has been building up to next year's Tokyo Olympics by remembering some glorious feats of the Indian team during their stupendous run in what could be termed as the 'Golden Era' of Indian Hockey. In the last of the series of columns commemorating the one year countdown for Tokyo Olympics next year, Hockey India had some interesting insights from on off their yesteryear stalwarts Harbinder Singh, who was part of India's Gold Medal Winning Team in 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games. Harbinder fondly recalls the historic final against arch rivals Pakistan in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and narrates his joy of bagging the coveted Gold Medal from his maiden Olympic Games. "I hope Tokyo Olympics next year is as memorable for us as it was in 1964," says Harbinder Singh "I have very vivid memories from our Final against Pakistan in the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games. It was a tense Final and the Umpire had warned both teams that if there were to be any foul during the course of the match, then the player would be given a red card and he would be out of the match. We had come into the Final after some very strong performances in the league matches against Belgium (2-0), Germany (1-1 draw), Spain (1-1), Hong Kong (6-0), Malaysia (3-1), Canada (3-0) and Netherlands (2-1). In the Semi Final, we had beaten Australia (3-1). In the first half of the Final, both India and Pakistan created really good moves, strong chances to score but neither of us succeeded. After a 0-0 stalemate in the first half, India created a penalty corner within five minutes of the second half. This was a really good opportunity to score. The hit was taken by Prithipal Singh, who was in great nick having scored 10 goals in total at the Olympic Games. But the hit was defended as the ball hit Pakistan Captain (Manzoor Hussain) Atif's foot. This led to the Umpire awarding India a penalty stroke. This was our golden opportunity and Mohinder Lal was brilliant in converting the goal. We took a 1-0 lead and held on to it till the last second. Though Pakistan did everything they could to equalise and take a lead, we had defended the score with all our heart. It was a very memorable match and a very thrilling one for me personally because it was my first Olympic Games. Winning a Gold Medal in my first Olympics was surely a great feeling. Now after more than half a century, the Olympics is again taking place in Tokyo where I saw my dream come true with the Indian Team winning the Gold Medal. I feel it would be a great opportunity for our team to repeat this history in the same place by winning a Gold Medal and make it as memorable as it was for us in 1964. It is every hockey fan's dream to watch India win the highest honour -- the Olympic Medal. We have a year to go for the Olympic Games to start, and I wish all the players and support staff preparing for the Tokyo Olympics the very best. I wish they bring laurels for the country."