The Doyen of Hockey – K D Singh 'Babu'

One familiar sight during my childhood was completing those long lasting train journeys during the summers. Those were the days where I was in awe to those sweet lullabies and tales coming from my grandparents. I, like a neophyte, always lent out a good ear. One such piece which I reminisce even today, happened to be related to hockey. It was one of those fine evenings in a train where you would like to have a good talk with fellow passengers before you hit the berth for sleep. I was in the company of my parents on a journey which was to end 22 hours later. Soon I realized my co-travellers were discussing about a legend who belonged to the glorious past of Indian hockey. Needless to say, I was a bit perplexed as their conversation was in Hindi and I approached my father to acquire wisdom about one of the most celebrated Indians in hockey circles, Kunwar Digvijay Singh Babu.

We, the hockey fans, are indebted to Dhyan Chand. It’s no wonder that he gets full credit for the popularity of the game in his era. He made the difference in the game and played a pivotal role in introducing hockey to the west in an orthodox form. Nevertheless, we understand hockey is a team game and that it involves 11 passionate players on the field. In the prosperous years of Indian hockey, the game was gifted to have many a brave men who played the game in its finest form. This time around, I would like to discuss something about one such finest hockey player.

For the youth of Barabanki and Uttar Pradesh, he was more than a legend. He was someone who had the knack and guile to tackle the best. He would have been 91 years old on 2^nd February, 2013 had he been alive. But, unfortunate we are today to have lost him. He had a lawyer, a social activist and a tennis player as his father who inspired his child, our Babu. During those times, hockey was considered a ray of hope in adversity, a tool of unity and was above the parochial feelings of race and religion; of traditions and cultures. Hockey players never enjoyed surplus finances. For them, it was all about playing with passion and fervour for pride and dignity. And in no time, this child was seen following the footsteps of his father right from his childhood. He used to participate in the various social activities and events his father took up. He was equally talented in sports and academics, and always stood above others in activities he was involved in.

K D S Babu’s entry in active hockey of was during the Dewa Mela, an annual festive gathering in his town of Barabanki, some 40 km away from the capital Lucknow, where he played for his college team. He also played for the LYA club, Lucknow and for the UP state team at the national level. He hit the news headlines once in his early playing days for the LYA club for a tackle against Mohammad Hussain, a gold medal winner from the 1936 games. The praise of K D S Babu’s artistry, of his technique and skills, was written in the papers next day. Hockey might have taken a break on the international stage due to the 2nd world war for sometime, but not for our hero. He was seen playing in the Aga Khan Hockey tournament, the Beighton cup Hockey tournament and the nationals. In the year 1946, he was selected to lead the team on a tour to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) and then was part of a team that went to Afghanistan, British East Africa (Kenya), Uganda and Tanzania in 1947.

K.D. Singh (left) and Dhyan chand (right)

He was made Dhyan Chand’s deputy to travel to London at the Olympics in 1948. The result was a 4–0 humiliation for the hosts and a gold medal for India. In the subsequent year, he was appointed as the vice captain of the team which travelled to East Africa and led the side in a tour to Afghanistan. 3 years later, at the 1952 games in Helsinki, Finland, Babu led the side again. That was an easy outing for India as it purged past Austria, Great Britain and the Netherlands in the finals, 6 -1 to win a gold. He played the role of tormentor-in-chief on many an occasion in his illustrious career, spanning more than a decade. It was immense pleasure to see Babu walking onto the field with a hockey stick in his sporting attire.

After playing with grace and dignity, Babu was selected as a coach to pass on his wisdom to the team. He was first taken as an assistant coach in a tour to East Africa 1959 and then as the Chief Coach in the 1966 Hong Kong tour. Later, he was selected to coach the team that went to Munich games in 1972. In a tournament which would be remembered for the wrongdoing of the Pakistani players after losing the final to West Germany, The Indian team under the priceless guidance of our Babu, stood at the final podium with Bronze medals hanging around their necks.

As mentioned earlier, hockey was among his many gifts which brought out his hidden talents. He was involved with the All India council of sports, Railway board, Rifle Association of India and with the Wild Life Protection Committee of Uttar Pradesh. He was one of those rare all-rounders who left a mark on everything they took up. Babu was the first Asian to be awarded with the Helms trophy in 1953 for being the best hockey player in the world that year. He was also the first hockey player to be awarded a Padma Shri in the year 1958 by the government of India.

The present day central sports stadium in Hazratganj, in the heart of Lucknow is named after this great man.

And after years of priceless service to the nation as a player and a coach, this legend left the world after succumbing to a gunshot wound from his own weapon in 1978.

K D S Babu was synonymous with bravery, all round performance, gentleness and was a doyen in the hockey circles.

May his soul rest in peace.