India Looks to End 51-Year Men’s Hockey World Cup Medal Drought
India hasn’t won a men’s hockey World Cup medal in 51 years, but the champions of 1975 remain hopeful that the current team can change that. Former players Ashok Kumar and Aslam Sher Khan are urging Harmanpreet Singh’s squad to prioritize national pride over personal goals as they prepare for the upcoming World Cup.
India’s only World Cup victory came back in 1975 in Kuala Lumpur, where they narrowly defeated Pakistan 2-1. Ashok Kumar scored the winning goal, sealing a momentous victory for the nation.
Ashok emphasizes that the current team should play with a mindset focused on representing India, rather than achieving individual accolades. “Remember, whether you win or lose, it’s about your country. This long wait has been too much; it’s time to win a medal,” he stated during an interview.
The World Cup is set to take place in the Netherlands and Belgium from August 15 to 30, providing another chance for India to clinch a medal that has been missing for decades.
Aslam Sher Khan echoed Ashok’s sentiments, stressing the need for today’s players to channel the same love for their country that drove their own successes. Aslam played a key role in reaching the final in 1975, scoring an important equalizer in the semi-final against Malaysia.
“When we entered the World Cup, we played for our motherland with immense passion. You must also play like you are representing your mother,” he encouraged the current team.
Both Ashok and Aslam know the pain of coming close to victory. They were part of the Indian squads that won bronze in 1971 and silver in 1973, experiences that only fueled their desire to win the title. Ashok recalls the emotional aftermath of their near misses; after losing in 1971, coach Balbir Singh Sr. was so upset that it was difficult to comfort him.
“There was immense disappointment after missing out on gold in 1973. I felt ashamed to return home with anything less than gold,” he admitted.
The determination for victory was apparent in their preparation for the 1975 tournament, as the team engaged in rigorous training in Chandigarh to transform previous disappointments into motivation.
Aslam also pointed out that succeeding in Olympic hockey is different from World Cup hockey. India found success in recent Olympics, winning bronze in both Tokyo 2021 and Paris 2024, showcasing their resilience under pressure.
“If we can bring the same spirit and teamwork to the World Cup as we did in the Olympics, we can surely stand on the podium again,” he said.
The challenge now is to turn their Olympic success into a World Cup victory and finally restore India’s position on the men’s hockey World Cup stage.
