Sardara Singh

Sardara Singh (born 15 July 1986), sometimes referred as Sardar Singh, is an Indian field hockey coach and former professional 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
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)
Medal record
Men's field hockey
Representing  India
Asian Games
Bronze medal – third place2010 GuangzhouTeam
Gold medal – first place2014 IncheonTeam
Bronze medal – third place2018 Jakarta-PalembangTeam
Asia Cup
Gold medal – first place2007 ChennaiTeam
Silver medal – second place2013 IpohTeam
Gold medal – first place2017 DhakaTeam
Champions Trophy
Silver medal – second place2018 BredaTeam
Asian Champions Trophy
Silver medal – second place2012 DohaTeam
Gold medal – first place2016 KuantanTeam
Commonwealth Games
Silver medal – second place2010 DelhiTeam
Silver medal – second place2014 GlasgowTeam
Hockey World League
Bronze medal – third place2014–15 RaipurTeam

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

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. Sardara Singh strikes form The Hindu, 15 March 2009.
  4. "Sardar Singh named captain, Pargat is manager of Indian hockey team". oneindia. 7 May 2008.
  5. "Padma Awards 2015". 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 Hindi News: पढ़ें हिंदी न्यूज़, Latest and Breaking News in Hindi, हिन्दी समाचार, न्यूज़ इन हिंदी - News18 इंडिया". 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. "Hockey India League Auction: the final squads list". 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.
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