NEW DELHI – On November 7, 2025, Indian hockey officially clocks a remarkable 100 years since the founding of the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) in 1925. To mark this momentous anniversary, Hockey India, in association with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, is set to launch a massive nationwide centenary celebration, kicking off at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi.
The grand event is not just a tribute to a glorious past but a full-throttle commitment to the future of the sport, honoring a century of perseverance, national pride, and Olympic dominance.
A Celebration of Scale: From the Capital to the Grassroots
Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, formally announced the centenary plans, highlighting the dual focus of the celebration: a central event in New Delhi and an unprecedented outreach to the grassroots.
- New Delhi Inauguration: The main celebrations will commence in New Delhi with a series of special events, including the felicitation of hockey legends across generations who cemented India’s status as the world’s most successful hockey nation with eight Olympic Gold medals.
- The Exhibition of Excellence: Visitors to the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium will be treated to a large-scale photo exhibition showcasing a visual journey through 100 years of history, featuring rare archival photographs, memorabilia, and iconic Olympic moments, from the 1928 Amsterdam Games to the recent resurgence.
- Grassroots Hockey Revolution: In an effort to take the sport’s legacy to every corner of the country, more than 1,400 hockey matches will be played simultaneously across over 550 districts nationwide, involving over 36,000 players. Each district will host one men’s and one women’s match, underscoring the theme of gender parity and inclusivity.
- Symbolic Match: A special 30-minute mixed exhibition match, featuring a Union Minister’s XI against a Hockey India Mixed XI (men and women), is planned to further highlight teamwork and gender equality.
Honouring the Legends and Inspiring the Next Generation
Hockey India President and legendary player Dr. Dilip Tirkey stated that celebrating the centenary is a “deeply emotional and proud moment” that honors the glorious past while inspiring a new generation.
The centenary celebrations will also include the release of an official commemorative volume titled “100 Years of Indian Hockey,” a chronicle of the sport’s triumphs, challenges, and remarkable revival.
India’s journey in hockey, which began with the formation of the IHF in 1925, has defined its sporting identity. From the legendary wizardry of Major Dhyan Chand during the ‘Golden Era’ (1928-1959) to the recent bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and a subsequent podium finish at the Paris 2024 Games, the sport remains an integral part of the nation’s collective spirit.
As the nation celebrates this landmark, the message is clear: the centenary is not just a backward glance at history, but a forward-looking step to strengthen the game from the grassroots and propel Indian hockey toward future global pinnacles.