When champions India almost missed the chance to play 1975 Hockey World Cup
Zee News
The 1975 World Cup win was a massive achievement for the Indian men's hockey team. It was not only the first World Cup win that Indians were proud of but also the first podium finish in hockey in many years.
The 1975 World Cup win was a massive achievement for the Indian men's hockey team. It was not only the first World Cup win that Indians were proud of but also the first podium finish in hockey in many years.
Not to forget, India had lost its authority in world hockey by 1975. They were no more the force they used to be. And this slump began from the 1968 Mexico Olympics where India finished with a bronze medal, something which is of great importance today but back in those days, the players had to hide their face while going back home if they clinched anything lesser than gold at world events.
That was the legacy and that was the cost of playing poor hockey. But due to politics and infight in the administration of the sport in India and among players, Indian hockey was was taking many blows in the field.
After Mexico Games, India did not win many major tournaments that could go on their CV. They finished third again at the 1972 Munich Olympics. Before that, in 1971, the first World Cup happened which was won by Pakistan. In the 1973 World Cup, India reached the finals where they lost to the Netherlands. At the same time, Pakistan's hockey was peaking. They beat India in the finals of Asian Games twice, in 1970 at Bangkok and then in Tehran in 1974.
46 years ago #OnThisDay in 1975, the Indian Men's Hockey Team brought home the maiden World Cup Title! __
