Gurbux Singh, Field Hockey Player
Field Hockey Player

Gurbux Singh

Born 11 February 1936 · verify

Winning gold medals at the 1964 Olympics and 1966 Asian Games as an Indian field hockey player.

Gurbux ("Gurbakhsh") Singh is a former Indian field hockey player who was a member of the Indian team that won the gold medal at the 1964 Summer Olympics, the bronze medal at the 1968 Summer Olympics and the gold medal at the 1966 Asian Games. He was the joint captain of the Indian team at the 1968 Summer Olympics. He was also the coach of the Indian team at the 1976 Summer Olympics. For his outstanding contribution to the country in the field of sports, Gurbux received the Arjuna Award in 1966.

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A detail that
surprised us

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Gurbux Singh was originally a badminton player before switching to field hockey, and he played for both Calcutta Customs and Mohun Bagan clubs between 1957 and his retirement.

The Story

1
In 1957, Gurbux Singh joined the Calcutta Customs Club, marking his rise in Indian field hockey during a period when the sport was a symbol of national pride post-partition.
2
🌟 Making his international debut in 1961, Singh quickly became a pivotal player for India, culminating in a gold medal victory at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, reclaiming the top spot from arch-rivals Pakistan.
3In 1966, he helped India clinch the Asian Games gold, a crucial moment reinforcing India's dominance in Asian field hockey during a politically charged era.
4🌟 At the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, Singh shared captaincy with Prithipal Singh and secured a bronze medal, showcasing leadership under intense pressure and shifting team dynamics.

🏅 Awards & Honours

—
Padma Shri

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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Born in 1935 in Peshawar, now in Pakistan, Gurbux Singh migrated to India due to the Partition, an upheaval that deeply affected his early life and hockey career.

📸 Through the Years

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🗓️ A Life in Moments

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Birth
Born in Peshawar
Gurbux Singh was born in Peshawar, which is now part of Pakistan, before migrating to India post-Partition.
1935
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Career
Joined Calcutta Customs Club
Started his club career with Calcutta Customs, where he played until 1965 before moving to Mohun Bagan.
1957
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Career
International Debut
Made his debut for the Indian national field hockey team, starting his international career.
1961
🌟
Other
Olympic Gold in Tokyo
Won the gold medal with the Indian field hockey team at the Tokyo Olympics, reclaiming the top spot.
1964
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Other
Asian Games Gold
Secured a gold medal at the Asian Games, reinforcing India's dominance in field hockey.
1966
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Career
Olympics Bronze and Joint Captain
Co-captained India at the Mexico City Olympics and won a bronze medal.
1968
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Career
Coached French Hockey Team
Led the French national field hockey team as head coach from 1974 to 1975.
1974
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Career
Coached Indian Olympic Team
Coached the Indian field hockey team at the Montreal Olympics where the team placed seventh.
1976
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Career
Became International Umpire
Transitioned to officiating, becoming an international field hockey umpire.
1981
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🗝️Discoveries

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01 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

In 1968, Gurbux Singh was joint captain of the Indian field hockey team that won bronze at the Mexico City Olympics, sharing leadership with Prithipal Singh.

02 / 04
🔍LESSER KNOWN

After retiring as a player, he coached the French national hockey team from 1974 to 1975, a rare example of an Indian athlete leading a European team at the time.

03 / 04
👤PERSONAL

Gurbux Singh’s brother, Balbir Singh, was also an accomplished hockey player who played alongside him at the 1966 Asian Games and the 1968 Olympics.

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🌱 What changed because of them

Gurbux Singh's Olympic gold in 1964 helped India reclaim its status in field hockey from Pakistan, reviving national morale. His coaching roles, including leading France’s team and India's 1976 Olympic squad, broadened Indian hockey's international footprint. Later, as an international umpire and national selector, he impacted the sport’s governance and talent development in India.

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