Vadodara: When the Indian hockey team won a bronze medal in the Paris Olympics on Thursday, PM Narendra Modi congratulated the players and said that they will bring back the golden age of hockey. Nearly 90 years ago, a Barodian didn’t just witness the golden era of Indian hockey but also inspired them to win a gold in the Olympics. Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III , king of the erstwhile Baroda state, had travelled to Germany for the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
“Maharaja was in the stadium’s pavilion when India and Germany squared off in the hockey finals. Major Dhyanchand was the captain of the team. During this game, Adolf Hitler too was present in the stadium,” said historian and art curator Chandrashekhar Patil.
“In the first half, the Indian team could score just one goal and Sayajirao noticed that the players were struggling against the crafty Germans. So, he decided to meet the players at half-time and find out the reason. Some players told him that they were struggling to play properly in shoes as they were used to playing bare-feet.
Sayajirao had given them shoes for playing in the finals,” Patil told TOI. “The king suggested that they remove their shoes and play their natural game. The team was a bit nervous as it was playing against the Germans on their home turf.
Sayajirao also gave a pep talk to Major Dhyanchand and the entire team that galvanised all the players,” Patil added. Dhyanchand scored three goals in the second half and India beat Germany 8-1 to win the gold medal . Late Dr Damodar Nene, biographer of Maharaja Sayajirao, had told TOI earlier that former Vadodara sportsperson Vasantrao Kaptan, who was present during the Olympic finals, had told the king that the players were nervous.
Sayajirao had told the players that if they win, a big prize was awaiting them. We also published the following articles recently EXPLAINED: Why India will play Paris Olympics hockey semifinal against Germany with 15 players The Indian men's hockey team faced a setback before their Olympic semifinal against Germany, with defender Amit Rohidas suspended for one match after a red card in the quarterfinal. India raised concerns about umpiring inconsistencies and the British goalkeeper being coached during the shootout.
Rohidas's absence will impact India's defense and strategy against Germany. Hockey India announces cash prize for Paris Olympics bronze medal winning team Hockey India announced financial rewards for the national men's hockey team after they secured a bronze medal at the Olympic Games. Each player will receive Rs 15 lakh, and support staff Rs 7.
5 lakh each. India's victory against Spain marked their second consecutive Olympic bronze, adding to their historic tally of 13 Olympic medals in hockey. Paris Olympics: Indian men's hockey team aims for bronze medal against Spain The Indian men's hockey team, after a narrow loss to Germany in the semifinals, is set to compete for the bronze medal against Spain on Thursday.
They seek to secure a podium finish at the Olympics for the second consecutive time. To succeed, India needs to overcome their defensive lapses and capitalize on scoring opportunities..
