Train ride to destiny: How Prakash Padukone changed the fate of an entire sport
Badminton, today, is one of India's premier sports. The racquet sport has provided India with a unique chance to excel in something which is not cricket. Over the last decade, many such 'shuttlers' have risen and found their place...
When Mukhbain Singh’s sizzling hat-trick brought down Australia at 1972 Munich Olympics
One is not sure how many among the current hockey fraternity remembers the name of Mukhbain Singh. The Jalandhar lad had emerged as one of the principal architects of India’s bronze-winning feat at the 1972 Munich Olympics.
36 years back, Mukhbain was...
The first and last time India played basketball at the Olympics
Basketball has ceased to make a significant mark in India compared to other popular sports in the country. In recent days, Indian basketball remains out of discussions of major world tournaments, and India has been one of the weaker...
Sarwan Singh: An Asian medalist whose achievements were erased by time
Time can be cruel. No matter how awe-inspiring an achievement may be, eventually the hours have a way of catching up with it. And when that happens, it threatens to slowly wipe away the memory of something which was...
We have talent but lack a proper road map, feels legendary footballer Kartick Sett
It’s very disappointing that the political leaders do not actually want the standard of Indian football to improve, they are just happy to consolidate their power in the governing body.
- Kartick Sett, a former International
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA)...
Looking back at when it all began for Indian Hockey
The first Indian contingent was sent to the Olympics in 1920 but it was not until 1928 that an Indian Hockey team made an appearance at the biggest competition in the World.
1928. That was the year which, in many...
From beating Milkha Singh to losing a leg: The downfall of an Olympian
The adage "rags to riches" is quite a popular one but there exists a parallel flow of events. Sometimes, things happen the other way round with absolutely no explanations regarding how and why. Most often, it is the result...
A tale of two Olympians: When Ashwini Nachappa outran PT Usha
Throughout India's illustrious history when it comes to athletics, there have been some moments which are especially memorable; moments that ultimately went down in history as landmarks in time. This is a story of one such moment- a moment...
A two-time Olympic hero, Keshav Datt is nearly lost in today’s glamorous world of sports
Imagine this. A freshly formed country with the scars of Partition and colonisation yet to heal- India participates in the 1948 Olympic Games in London. Famed for being almost undefeated in Hockey, the team does not disappoint. They reach...
Boxer Kaur Singh: The forgotten hero who fought Muhammad Ali
Union Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore's pragmatic approach to rejig India's sports has shown a ray of hope for the sporting brotherhood. Within just three months of his appointment, several promises have been made which kindle our expectations of a...