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Origin of hockey
A crude form of hockey was played in Egypt 4,000 years ago, and in Ethiopia about 1000 BC. Various museums offer evidence that a form of the game was played by Romans and Greeks, and by the Aztec Indians in South America several centuries before Columbus landed in the New World. The modern game of hockey evolved in England in the mid-18th century, primarily in schools. Hockey made its first steps toward an international federation when in 1909 the Hockey Association in England and the Belgium Hockey Association agreed to regulate international hockey.
The French Association followed soon after. Hockey took its most important step forward in 1924 when the International Hockey Federation, the world governing body for the sport, was founded in Paris under the initiative of Frenchman Paul Léautey. Mr Léautey, who became the first president of the federation, was moved to action after hockey’s omission from the 1924 Paris Olympic Games. The women’s game developed quickly in many countries and in 1927, the International Federation of Women’s Hockey Associations (IFWHA) was formed. The founding members were Australia, Denmark, England, Ireland, Scotland, South Africa, the United States of America and Wales. The two organisations united in 1982 to form the FIH.
HOCKEY
The International Hockey Federation grew quickly after its formation. Denmark joined in 1925, the Dutch in 1926, Turkey in 1927, and in 1928 - the year of the Amsterdam Olympics - Germany, Poland, Portugal and India joined. India’s addition marked the membership of the first non-European country.
By 1964, 50 countries were affiliated with the FIH, as well as three continental associations - Africa, Pan-America and Asia. In 1974, there were 71 members. The International Hockey Federation now consists of five continental associations - Europe and Oceania have since joined - and 118 member associations.
Hockey today
The work of the International Hockey Federation is led by the FIH President, Secretary General and Treasurer, working together with an executive board, the FIH council, a number of instrumental committees, and the staff at its Lausanne headquarters. The FIH works in co-operation with both the national and continental organisations to ensure consistency and unity in hockey worldwide. The FIH not only regulates the sport, but is responsible for its development and promotion.
Hockey at the Olympics
Hockey has been an Olympic sport since 1908 and celebrates its 100 years at the Olympics in Beijing. The men’s competition has been on every Olympic program, except in 1912 and 1924. The women’s competition began in 1980. This year, 12 men’s and 12 women’s teams are participating.
INDIAN HOCKEY IN OLYMPICS
India first participated in Olympics in 1900 in Paris. The country was represented by Norman Pritchard, an Anglo Indian who was holidaying in Paris during that time. He bagged two silver medals in 200m. dash and 200m hurdles. Then after a gap of 20 years India again participated with two athletes in 1920 Antwerp Olympics and with eight members in 1924 Paris Olympics.
But the more organised, official representation by India, was made in 1928 Amsterdam, with the formation of Indian Olympic Association in 1927. Dorabji Tata was the first president and Dr A C Northern of Young Men’s Christian Association, Madras was the secretary. That year, Indian Hockey team participated in their first Olympic hockey event and won the gold medal under the captaincy of Jaipal Singh. For the next 6 successive Olympics spanning 28 years from 1928-1956, Indians retained their gold medal for the hockey event. Hockey wizard Dhyan Chand played a major role in Indian victory in the first three successive wins. It was definitely the golden era of Indian Hockey in Olympics, during which India played 24 matches and won all 24, scored 178 goals (at an average of 7.43 goals per match) and conceded only 7 goals. India again won two more gold medals in Olympic hockey in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and the 1980 Moscow Olympics.
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