Return to the year of glory – 1975 Indian hockey team winning the World Cup to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Epic Victory

Nineteen seventy-five was an eventful year. March brought the first and the only hockey title of the India World Cup. On June 21, the Antilles won the inaugural cricket World Cup and five days later, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi carried India under emergency regulations. On independence day, the greatness of Indian cinema has struck screens with Sholay, a timeless artist to date.

The heroes of hockey, the boys of posters in the 1970s, will celebrate the golden jubilee of this epic triumph today (Saturday) during an event in the capital.

“It’s nice to remember and honor,” said Ashok Diwan, the team’s rock goalkeeper.

“I always receive goosebumps when I think about this unforgettable tournament,” noted Aslam Sher Khan, the team’s savior against Malaysia in the semi-finals when he criticized the equalizer in dying moments.

Aslam and Diwan were not in the original starting program. Michael Kindo was preferred to Aslam because of his tackle skills, while Leslie Fernandes was considered better than Diwan.

The Indian captain Ajit Pal Singh (on the left) holding in the air the trophy after India beat Pakistan 2-1 in the third World Cup hockey final in Kuala Lumpur, Saturday March 15, 1975. Photo credit: AP

Aslam, then 22 years old, and Diwan, 21, changed the course of Indian hockey with their exceptional show in the semi-finals against Malaysia and the match for Pakistan. They were thrown into the cauldron, India dragging 1-2 and barely 12 minutes on the left before the final whistle.

The coach, GS Bodhi, and the manager, Balbir Singh (SR), stood Crestfollen. The match was moving away. “Balbir Ji called me and his eyes pleaded for a miracle. He held out my face and said, “You hee Bacha Sakta Hai. Kuch Kar to (do something. Only you can save us).

Malaysia was supported by more than 50,000 supporters – no Indian voice of the galleries. “It was a classic competition, India winning 17 penalty corners, but Surjit Singh could not violate the defense of (Malaysian goalkeeper) Ziauddin. “Surjit had met a mental block,” recalls Aslam.

With five minutes to play, Aslam was able to block a movement. “I liked the feeling of the ball on my stick. I felt confident. And then came the penalty corner – for four minutes to go. I realized that it was my moment created by Destiny. I spotted a balbir ji nervous from the corner of my eye, then I prepared for the strike, the blow of my life. I kissed the tavern (Lucky Charm) that my mother had given me and slipped into the act of hitting the corner of the penalty, “said Aslam.

It was a moment to live if he had marked.

“I evaluated the goalkeeper and decided to hit the ball on his right, a difficult shot. It’s lively. The goalkeeper moved to his left and the ball has magnificently struck the board to his right. »»

Aslam Sher Khan (left) in action during the national hockey championship for the Rangaswamy Cup match at Ground Race, Madurai, August 30, 1978. | Photo credit: The Hindu

The stadium became silent and Aslam hockey found his voice of this goal, instantly transforming him into a reverencal silhouette in her. The equalizer galvanized India and Harcharan Singh won him nine minutes after a time with a goal. The very forgotten Shivaji Pawar had advanced India at the start of the second half before Malaysia flowed in two goals.

“It was the most important day of my life (the equalizer) because I had to prove myself with the time that exhausted quickly. The sequence is engraved in my memory – BP Govinda pushed the ball, and Ajitpal Singh stopped it impeccably. An error at this stage would have been a disaster, “said Aslam, whose father, Ahmed Sher Khan, was part of the Indian team who won gold at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin.

For Diwan, the match against Malaysia was an eternal reminder of “luck” and “destiny”, being an integral part of your defeats and victories in sport and life. “I was sent as a substitute, probably as desperate because Fernandes was not confident. We could not have returned if he had conceded a goal in these closing stages. I knew that my work was important and I made a few stops during the additional time session.

The final saw India prevail over Pakistan in a bitter competition. “What a final was, but the match in Malaysia was worth reliving the endless times. We were in tears after defeating Malaysia, “said Diwan, who stressed that the team’s link was forged by Balbir (SR), who assured that the team had visited a temple, the church, Gurdwara and Masjid one day before the final.

Ashok Kumar was the hero of the final, while India organized a remarkable return after the goal of the 17th minute of Zahid. Surjit equalized 27 minutes later, and Ashok managed an astonishing in the 51st minute. The team never fails to relive and celebrate the two most epoch goals – Aslam and Ashok. It was Ashok who won the penalty corner that Aslam converted.

“I made the goal (against Pakistan) again on several occasions. And whenever the fans asked me to share this joy, I liked to tell it. (Victor) Philips launched the movement on the right and relayed the ball to me. I hit the ball on the race and found the target, to the pleasure of the team and our supporters, “said Ashok Sport.

The 1975 campaign was the culmination of the efforts of the Punjab government, which had sponsored the preparation of the team in Chandigarh. “This camp was a blessing with the support of (chief minister) Zail Singh,” recalls Aslam.

Diwan and Varinder Singh missed the ground celebrations after the final. “We were taken for a dope test, and it took us so long to give urine samples,” said Diwan. They were showered by gifts, including musical systems, a novelty at that time.

Houses were waiting for the Madras airport team. “We had to pay rights for the electronic products we had brought,” said Diwan. In a memorable gesture, Ms. Gandhi, when she was informed of the development by the President of the Indian Hockey Federation, Mam Ramaswamy, made the order to give up the accusations of outfit. “The authorities came to the hotel to return the money,” said Diwan laughing.

A few years ago, some members of the team gathered in Betul (Madhya Pradesh) to watch the recording of the India-Pakistan final. A hockey lover had managed the video and invited players to a Betul theater. “We were transported over time,” said Diwan