Sardara Singh facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Sardara Singh

Singh with India in 2014
Personal information
Full name	Sardar Singh
Born	(1986-07-15) 15 July 1986 (age 38) Santnagar, Sirsa, Haryana, India
Height	1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Playing position	Halfback
Senior career
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2005	Chandigarh Dynamos
2006–2008	Hyderabad Sultans
2011	KHC Leuven
2013–2015	Delhi Waveriders	14	(0)
2013	HC Bloemendaal	0	(0)
2016	Punjab Warriors
National team
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2006–2018	India	314	(16)
Teams managed
2022	India A
2023–	India U17
Medal record Men's field hockey Representing  India Asian Games Bronze 2010 Guangzhou Team Gold 2014 Incheon Team Bronze 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Team Asia Cup Gold 2007 Chennai Team Silver 2013 Ipoh Team Gold 2017 Dhaka Team Champions Trophy Silver 2018 Breda Team Asian Champions Trophy Silver 2012 Doha Team Gold 2016 Kuantan Team Commonwealth Games Silver 2010 Delhi Team Silver 2014 Glasgow Team Hockey World League Bronze 2014–15 Raipur Team

Sardara Singh (born 15 July 1986) is a famous Indian field hockey coach and former player. Many people also call him Sardar Singh. He used to be the captain of the Indian national team. Sardara played in the important "center half" position.

He became the youngest player to lead the Indian team. This happened when he was captain at the 2008 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup. In 2015, he received the Padma Shri award. This is the fourth highest award for civilians in India.

On 13 July 2016, P. R. Sreejesh, the team's goalkeeper, took over as captain. Sardara Singh announced he was retiring from international hockey on 12 September 2018. He played 314 matches for India over 12 years.

Early Life and Family

Sardara Singh was born on July 15, 1986. His hometown is Sant Nagar village in Sirsa District in Haryana, India. His father, Gurnam Singh, was a doctor. His mother, Jasveer Kaur, was a housewife.

His brother, Didar Singh, also played field hockey for the Indian team. Didar was known for his special "drag flick" skill.

Sardara Singh's Hockey Journey

Sardara Singh first played for India's junior team in 2003–04. This was during a tour in Poland. He then made his first appearance for the senior team in 2006. This big game was against Pakistan.

He also plays for his home state of Haryana. Sardara is a Deputy Superintendent Police Officer with the Haryana Police. He plays for their police team as well.

Playing for Clubs

In 2005, Singh played for the Chandigarh Dynamos. This was in the first season of the Premier Hockey League. For the next three seasons, until 2008, he played for Hyderabad Sultans. He was even the captain of the Sultans team.

In 2010, Sardara was chosen for the 18-player FIH All-Star team. This means he was one of the best players in the world. That same year, he joined a Belgian club called KHC Leuven. He played in the Belgian Hockey League.

He was named to the FIH All-Star team again in 2011. After playing very well at the 2013 Asia Cup, a Dutch club, HC Bloemendaal, signed him. He joined them to replace another famous player, Teun de Nooijer.

Captaincy and Retirement

Sardara Singh led the Indian team for eight years. On 13 July 2016, he passed the captain's role to P. R. Sreejesh. Sreejesh is the goalkeeper for the Indian team.

Sardara decided to stop playing international hockey in September 2018. In 2019, he became part of a 13-member committee. This committee helps choose players for Hockey India.

Hockey India League Success

Sardar Singh became the highest-paid player in the first Hockey India League auction. The team from Delhi bought him for a lot of money. This team was named Delhi Waveriders.

He was the captain of the Delhi Waveriders. His team finished second in the first season. Sardara was given the 'Player of the Tournament' award for his great performance. He also received the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, a very high sports honor in India.

Indian hockey team captain Sardara Singh celebrating a victory in 2014.

Major Achievements and Awards

Sardara Singh has won many awards and medals throughout his career:

• He was named 'Player of the Tournament' at the 2012 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup. India won the Bronze medal there.
• He was also the 'Player of the Tournament' in the 2012 Summer Olympics Qualifiers. India won the Gold medal in this event.
• He was the 'Player of the Tournament' at the 2010 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup. India won the Gold medal.
• In 2006, he played in the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament in Malaysia. The team won a Bronze Medal.
• He helped the team get second place at the SAF Games in Colombo in 2006.
• In 2006, he played in the 7th Junior Challenge Open Men's in Poland. The team finished second.
• He won a Bronze Medal at the 2007 Men's Hockey Champions Challenge in Belgium in 2007.
• He played in the Commonwealth Games 2006 in Melbourne.
• He was part of the INDO-PAK series in 2006.
• He won a Bronze Medal at the Four Nations International Tournament in Germany.
• He won a Silver Medal at the Four Nations Hockey Tournament in Lahore.
• He won a Gold Medal at the Men's Hockey Asia Cup in Chennai in 2007.
• He played for India in a 7-game Test Series against the Canadian National Field Hockey Team in Canada.

Sardara Singh playing in the Hero Hockey World League.