Remember the Titans

On 18^th of February 2012, India will again be playing to qualify for the men’s field hockey for the forthcoming Olympics. The London Olympics 2012 will begin on the 28^th of July. A record eight time winner, India will again go for gold.

This article, deals with Hockey, Olympics and the District of Darjeeling. Confused? Read further to understand. The people who don’t know, will think why Darjeeling? This article is about remembering what and how does the district of Darjeeling connect to the Olympics and Field Hockey.

There have been three Olympians associated with Kurseong, a town 30 kilometers away from Darjeeling. The fourth player who will look to qualify for the London Olympics 2012, according to my sources is from Kalimpong, 50 kilometers from Darjeeling.

Goethals Memorial School, Kurseong has the following notable alumni.

1. Cyril James Michie : (August 20, 1900 – 1966) was an Indian field hockey player who competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics. He was educated at Goethals Memorial School, Kurseong.

           In 1936 he was a member of the Indian field hockey team, which won the gold medal. He played       one match as goaltender. No goals were scored against him. (Source: Wikipedia).

Wiki link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyril_Michie

        Unfortunately I couldn’t find any solo pictures of Cyril. The only picture that I found on the Internet was of the 1936 winning team. Unfortunately again, (as far as I know) no evidence is there to prove which one of them is Cyril. If there is anyone who can identify him please let me know.

                                                 1936 Berlin Olympics Gold Medal

                              

     2. Joseph "Joe" Deville Thomas Galibardy (January 10, 1915 – May 17, 2011) was an Indian field         hockey player who competed in the1936 Summer Olympics.

            In 1936 he was a member of the Indian field hockey team, which won the gold medal. He            played five matches as halfback.

            He was the last surviving member of the 1936 Indian field hockey team that won the gold            medal. He came to his alma-mater, Geothals Memorial School during their centenary celebrations in 2007.

            (Source: Wikipedia)

            Wiki Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Galibardy

                                        The Winning Hockey team of 1936 Berlin Olympics.

 (Joseph is second from the left in front, Dhyan Chand second from left standing but don't know about Cyril)

India in 1936 Berlin Olympics (Germany was under Adolf Hitler’s rule)

Played: 5
Won: 5
Goals For: 38
Goals Against: 1 (The only goal that was struck was against India was in the finals by Germany. India won that 8-1 under the leadership of Dhyan Chand).

India was up by 6 goals in the finals. The Germans now decided to play rough. Going for Dhyan Chand, the German goalkeeper removed one of his teeth. Coming back after receiving first aid, the bare-footed Dhyan Chand instructed his team to go easy on goals. "We must teach them a lesson in ball control," he said. As the stunned crowd watched, the Indians repeatedly took the ball up to the German circle and then backpassed to dumbfound their opponents. India ultimately prevailed over Germany 8-1 in the finals to win its third successive Olympic gold medal.

The Fuhrer was very impressed by Dhyan Chand's performance in the finals. At a dinner party after the finals, Hitler offered to elevate Dhyan Chand to the rank of a Colonel if he migrated to Germany. Dhyan Chand turned down the offer.

(Source: http://www.bharatiyahockey.org/olympics/golden/1936.htm)

1. 3)   Chaman Singh Gurung: I could get no information about his date of birth and death. He hailed from Kurseong and he too studied from Goethals Memorial School, Kurseong. He was a gifted player who participated in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics and won a gold medal. Unfortunately the information I got was that his gold medal was stolen. A man of such caliber and gift died a long time back and very few people know about him till today.

          India in 1952 Helsinki Olympics (Finland)

          Played: 3
          Won: 3
          Goals For: 13
          Goals Against: 2  

                       1952 Helsinki Olympics Gold Medal (which was stolen from C.S.Gurung's house)

1. 4).  Bharat Chettri: is an Indian hockey player. He has been appointed the captain of the Indian hockey team for the four-nation Super Series and an international tournament in Australia beginning 12 October 2011. (Source: Wikipedia)

         (Wiki Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bharat_Chettri)

         He is currently the fourth player who will eye an Olympic Gold, but as a captain, from the Hills. I hope           and pray that he along with the team do us proud and bring back those glory days.

        Lastly I feel sorry when I see that Hockey is no more a part of school sports in many places, (at least in    Kurseong) even after the association of so many great players and also being the National Sport. If there is   any information anyone can add, please provide it in the comments section.