‘Hockey India Surprises Ashok Kumar with Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award’

Legendary hockey player Ashok Kumar was left emotional when he received the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award at the Hockey India Awards ceremony in New Delhi. The award, named after his father, came as a significant surprise to Ashok, who typically attended such events to honor other players.

Expressing his gratitude, Ashok stated, "I am glad that Hockey India chose to honor me with the award by the name of my father. I am very happy for the recognition that Hockey India gave me today and hope this continues for the coming years." Known for his exceptional skills, Ashok scored the winning goal against Pakistan in the final of the 1975 World Cup in Kuala Lumpur.

Reflecting on his father's legacy, Ashok remarked, "My aim was to become a better player than my father, but I couldn't touch him. He showed the world that Indians can play better hockey than many other countries." Despite the pressure of living up to his father's reputation, Ashok represented India twice in the Olympics and contributed to numerous victories in international competitions.

Looking ahead to the Paris Olympics, Ashok expressed confidence in India's hockey team, emphasizing the need for players to push themselves to excel. With his lifetime of dedication to the sport and his father's legacy, Ashok Kumar continues to inspire generations of hockey enthusiasts in India.