If there was a player in the Indian team who gazed at the World Cup in the hotel foyer more intensely than his teammates, it was Ashok Kumar.
He had a World Cup silver and bronze, an Olympic bronze and two Asian Games silver. But no gold medal from a World event. His father, the indomitable Dhyan Chand, had three Olympic gold medals as he strode the world like a colossus. Dhyan Chand’s brother and teammate Roop Singh also possessed gold medals from the 1932 and 1936 Olympics.
“I never rejoiced over my medals when I reached home. How could I?,” Ashok asks.
“ Mere pita aur chaacha ne deshke liye Olympic svarn padak jeete lekin, mainne keval rajat aur kaansy padak jeeta tha (My father and uncle had won Olympic gold medals for the country but I only had won silver and bronze)
“My father and uncle had achieved ultimate glory by winning gold medals. I had none to show until then,” Ashok pours out his thoughts and feelings on the eve of the final.
“I promised myself as I looked at the trophy in the hotel that I would do all in my power to help my country win it and wear the gold medal around my neck.”
Ashok’s Crucial Decision
Ashok, who played for four states and Indian Airlines in the national championships, came very close to missing the World Cup campaign altogether.
“I was offered a contract by a club in, Naples, Italy, in 1974 which I accepted. I needed to secure my future. After all, I drew a salary of just Rs 500/- while serving Indian Airlines. The Italian club offered me six times that amount plus facilities and I accepted its offer,” Ashok reveals.
He wrote to KD Singh Babu, another Indian legend and Olympic gold medallist, as he awaited his visa.
A fortnight later, Ashok Kumar received an inland letter from Babu admonishing him for pursuing money at the cost of playing for the country.
“He reminded me about my father Dhyan Chand rejecting Adolf Hitler’s offer of a job in the German army after putting his own country first,” recollects Ashok, who lived for years in a rented house before he was able to buy one of his own.
FILE PHOTO: India’s Ashok Kumar beats Ghana’s goal-keeper Awunyo Akaba to score the fifth goal for India in the World Cup hockey tournament.
| Photo Credit:
THE HINDU ARCHIVES
FILE PHOTO: India’s Ashok Kumar beats Ghana’s goal-keeper Awunyo Akaba to score the fifth goal for India in the World Cup hockey tournament.
| Photo Credit:
THE HINDU ARCHIVES
“I felt a sense of shame for being greedy,” Ashok says candidly. “I immediately wrote to the Italian club declining their offer.”
Ashok looks at it as a turning point. Now it was his moment of reckoning. The last World Cup final resulted in heartbreak and it rankled. Kuala Lumpur presented a chance for redemption and despite the nerves ahead of the final, he held hope of obliterating the disappointments of the past.
Ashok scored the winning goal at the momentous World Cup final.
The 25-year-old played his 3rd World Cup in Kuala Lumpur and, three years later became the first Indian to figure in four World Cups.
About the book
March of Glory captures the historical essence of India’s 1975 World Cup triumph. The book focuses on the event’s atmosphere and drama along with the prowess and spirit of the team led by Ajit Pal Singh in its quest to win the title in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. With photographs rendering a powerful visual element, the book – the first ever on the epic – celebrates one of India’s landmark sporting achievements. Details of key matches and quotes from players provide insights into a remarkable journey – a timely enactment in the centenary year of hockey governance in the country.
About authors
Errol D’Cruz has worked for leading newspapers such as The Times of India and The Indian Express. D’Cruz has covered major events like Hockey World Cups and several other international and domestic events. He now contributes to stick2hockey.com, rendering narration and analysis on the sport with a passion and critical eye. He is hailed for his eye for details and accuracy.
K Arumugam’s passion for hockey has expressed itself in journalistic, statistical, organizational, and altruistic efforts. He has authored numerous books focusing on history, records and governance. Arumugam wrote hockey for many news outlets including PTI, Hindustan Times etc. Has appeared on numerous TV shows, besides offering consultancy to three commerical films. He also founded hockey trust One Thousand Hockey Legs.