Jaipal Singh Munda

Jaipal Singh Munda

Playing position - Defender
Nationality - Indian

Jaipal Singh Munda (3 January 1903 – 20 March 1970) born in a Munda tribal family, was a politician, prolific writer and sportsman. He captained the Indian field hockey team to clinch gold in the 1928 Summer Olympics (Games of the IX Olympiad) in Amsterdam.

Singh was a member of the Oxford University Hockey Team. The hallmarks of his game as a deep defender were his clean tackling, sensible gameplay and well directed hard hits. He was the most versatile player in the Oxford University Hockey Team. His contribution to the University Hockey Team was recognised and he became the first Indian student to be conferred blue in Hockey.

In 1928, while he was in England, Singh was asked to captain the Indian hockey team for the 1928 Olympic Games. Under his captaincy the Indian team played 17 matches in the league stage, of which 16 were won and one drawn. Due, however, to a dispute with the English team manager, A. B. Rossier, Singh left the team after league phase and therefore could not play in the games in the knockout stage. In the final, the Indian Team defeated Holland by 3–0.

On returning to India, Singh was associated with Mohan Bagan Club of Calcutta and started its hockey team in 1929. He led that team in various tournaments. After retirement from active hockey, he served as Secretary of Bengal Hockey Association and as a member of the Indian Sports Council.

source : wikipedia

url : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaipal_Singh_Munda