Sardara Singh

Sardara Singh (born 15 July 1986), sometimes referred as Sardar Singh, is an Indian field hockey coach and former field hockey player. He also served as the captain of the Indian national team.^[2] He usually plays the center half position.^[3] Sardara became the youngest player to captain the Indian team when he led the side at the 2008 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.^[4] He was awarded Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award of India, in 2015.^[5] On 13 July 2016, the responsibilities of the captain were handed over from him to P. R. Sreejesh, the goalkeeper of Indian Team.^[6] On 12 September 2018, Sardara announced his retirement from international hockey. He played 314 matches during 12 years in his career.^[7]

Sardara Singh

Singh with India in 2014
Personal information
Full name	Sardar Purashkar Singh
Born	(1986-07-15) 15 July 1986 (age 37) Santnagar, Sirsa, Haryana, India
Height	1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)^[1]
Playing position	Halfback
Senior career
Years	Team
2005	Chandigarh Dynamos
2006–2008	Hyderabad Sultans
2011	KHC Leuven
2013–2015	Delhi Waveriders
2013	HC Bloemendaal
2016	Punjab Warriors
National team
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2006–2018	India	314	(16)
Teams coached
2022	India A
2023–	India U17
Medal record Men's field hockey Representing  India Asian Games 2010 Guangzhou Team 2014 Incheon Team 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Team Asia Cup 2007 Chennai Team 2013 Ipoh Team 2017 Dhaka Team Champions Trophy 2018 Breda Team Asian Champions Trophy 2012 Doha Team 2016 Kuantan Team Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi Team 2014 Glasgow Team Hockey World League 2014–15 Raipur Team

Early life

Sardara was born in Haryana's village Sant Nagar in Sirsa District^[8] to Gurnam Singh, a RMP doctor, and Jasveer Kaur, a housewife.^[9]

Career

Sardara Singh made his debut for India in the junior team during India's 2003–04 tour of Poland. He made his senior debut against Pakistan in 2006.^[10] He also plays for his state of Haryana. He is a Deputy Superintendent Police Officer with the Haryana Police and plays for their team.^[11] Singh played for Chandigarh Dynamos in the inaugural season of the Premier Hockey League in 2005. He played for Hyderabad Sultans in the next three seasons till 2008, captaining the side.^[12]

His brother Didar Singh, a drag flick specialist also played for the Indian team, Haryana and Chandigarh Dynamos.

In 2010, he was included in the 18-men FIH All-Star team.^[13] In the same year, Singh was signed by the Belgian club, KHC Leuven to play in the Belgian Hockey League.^[13] In 2011, he was again named on the FIH All-Star team.^[14] Following Singh's impressive showing at the 2013 Asia Cup, he was signed by the Dutch club HC Bloemendaal as a replacement to Teun de Nooijer.^[15]

On 13 July 2016, the responsibilities of the captain were handed over from him to P. R. Sreejesh, the goalkeeper of Indian team. He has captained Indian team for 8 years.

He quit the sport in September 2018.^[16] In 2019, he was included in a 13-member Hockey India selection committee.^[17]

Hockey India League

Sardar Singh became the highest-paid marquee player at the inaugural Hockey India League auctions as the Delhi franchise bought him for US$78,000 (₹42,49,000). The Delhi team was named Delhi Waveriders.^[18] He captained his side to finish on second place in its inaugural season and was awarded the 'Player of the Tournament.'^[19] He was honoured with Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award.

 

Indian hockey team captain Saradara Singh at Kalinga stadium celebrating after victory over Netherlands

Punjabi Music Industry

Sardar Singh is making his first Punjabi Music Industry debut by featuring in song ‘Gallan Karraiyan’ by veteran Punjabi singer Hardeep Singh of Shehar Patiale de fame.^[20] The song is written by Sukha Wadali and the music is by Jaidev Kumar.

Achievements

• Awarded 'Player of Tournament' in the 2012 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, where India won the Bronze.^[21]
• He was adjudged the Player of the Tournament in the 2012 Summer Olympics Qualifiers, where India won the Gold.
• He was adjudged the Player of the Tournament in the 2010 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, where India won the Gold.
• He participated in Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament in Malaysia in the year 2006 and the team won Bronze Medal.
• He participated in SAF Games at Colombo in the year 2006 and the team scored 2nd position.
• He participated in 7th Junior Challenge Open Men's at Poland 2006 and scored 2nd position.
• He participated in 2007 Men's Hockey Champions Challenge at Belgium 2007 and got Bronze Medal.
• He participated in Commonwealth Games 2006 at Melbourne.
• He participated in INDO-PAK series 2006.
• He participated in Four Nations International Tournament at Germany and the team scored Bronze Medal.
• He also participated in Four Nations Hockey Tournament at Lahore and the team win Silver Medal.
• He participated in Men's Hockey Asia Cup at Chennai 2007 and the team grabbed Gold Medal.

•  

  Sardara Singh in Hero Hockey World League

  He participated for India in Canada for the 7 game Test Series against the Canadian National Field Hockey Team

References

1. "CWG Melbourne: Player's Profile".
2. "Sardar Singh to lead India at Sultan Azlan Shah Cup". The Indian Express. 20 February 2018. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
3. The Hindu, 15 March 2009.
4. "Sardar Singh named captain, Pargat is manager of Indian hockey team". oneindia. 7 May 2008.
5. . Press Information Bureau. Archived from the original on 28 January 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
6. "Sardar Singh is no longer king of Indian hockey 2016". Indian Express. 13 July 2016. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
7. "Sardar Singh retires". Times of India. 13 September 2018. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
8. . News18 India (in Hindi). 4 August 2017. Archived from the original on 17 July 2018. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
9. "Odds couldn't damp the Sardar spirit". The Times of India. 4 August 2012. Archived from the original on 15 September 2017. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
10. "Meet the heroes of Hockey". Men's Health. Retrieved 3 September 2013.
11. "Appointment of Sh. Sardar Singh as DSP in Haryana Police". Haryana Police.
12. "Hyderabad Sultans reach semi-finals". Rediff. 2 January 2008. Retrieved 3 September 2008.
13. "Sardara to play in Belgian Hockey League". The Times of India. 27 December 2010. Archived from the original on 3 September 2013. Retrieved 3 September 2013.
14. "Glasgow 2014 – Sardar Singh Profile". g2014results.thecgf.com. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
15. "Sardar Singh joins Europe's iconic hockey club HC Bloemendaal". NDTV. 3 September 2013. Retrieved 3 September 2013.
16. "Former India hockey captain Sardar Singh retires". India Today. 12 September 2018. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
17. PTI (15 January 2019). "Retired Sardar Singh named in selection committee of Hockey India | Hockey News - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
18. . 16 December 2012. Archived from the original on 19 December 2012. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
19. "Ranchi Rhinos crowned HIL champions". The Hindu. 11 February 2013. Retrieved 3 September 2013.
20. "Former Indian Hockey Captain Sardar Singh to Feature in Punjabi Song". 5 June 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
21. "New Zealand beat Argentina to win Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Hockey Tournament". Jagran Josh. 4 June 2012.

External links

• Profile 16 October 2017 at the Wayback Machine at Hockey India
• Sardara Singh at Olympedia  
• at Olympics at Sports-Reference.com (archived)