Sardar Singh
About
Sardara Singh is an esteemed Indian field hockey coach and former player. Renowned for his exceptional skills as a center half, Sardara made significant contributions to Indian hockey, both as a player and a leader. He made his debut for the Indian junior team during their 2003–04 tour of Poland and earned his senior debut against Pakistan in 2006. Sardara's talent and leadership qualities quickly shone through, leading to him becoming the youngest player to captain the Indian team at the 2008 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.
Throughout his illustrious career, Sardara played an impressive 314 international matches over 12 years. He captained the Indian national team for eight years, guiding them through numerous tournaments and earning accolades for his exceptional performances.
Sardara announced his retirement from international hockey on 12 September 2018 but remained involved in the sport as a member of the Hockey India selection committee from 2019.
Sardara's club career is equally impressive. He played for Chandigarh Dynamos in the inaugural Premier Hockey League season in 2005 and later captained the Hyderabad Sultans.
In 2010, he was selected for the FIH All-Star team and signed by Belgian club KHC Leuven. His stellar performance at the 2013 Asia Cup led to his signing with Dutch club HC Bloemendaal. Sardara also became the highest-paid marquee player in the inaugural Hockey India League auctions, being bought by Delhi Waveriders for $78,000. He led the team to a second-place finish and was named 'Player of the Tournament.'
Awards and Accomplishments
Awards and Accomplishments
Notably, he was awarded the prestigious Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, in 2015.
In recognition of his contributions to Indian sports, he was honored with the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award.
Sardara’s career is decorated with numerous achievements. He was awarded ‘Player of the Tournament’ in the 2012 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup and the 2012 Summer Olympics Qualifiers, where India won gold.
He also received the same honor in the 2010 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, where India clinched gold.
Why Sardara Singh ?
As a former captain of the Indian national team and a recipient of prestigious awards like the Padma Shri and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, he brings invaluable insights into teamwork, dedication, and overcoming challenges. His inspiring journey from a young debutant to an internationally acclaimed player and his continued contribution to the sport as a coach and selector make him a compelling and motivational speaker for any audience.
