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 39) 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 U18
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), also known as Sardar Singh, is a famous Indian field hockey coach and former player. He was the captain of the Indian national team for many years. He usually played in the center half position, which is a key role in hockey.

Sardara Singh became the youngest player to lead the Indian team when he was captain at the 2008 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup. For his amazing contributions to sports, he received the Padma Shri award in 2015. This is one of India's highest civilian awards. He played 314 matches for India over 12 years. He announced his retirement from international hockey on 12 September 2018.

Early Life and Background

Sardara Singh was born in Sant Nagar village in the Sirsa District of Haryana, India. His father, Gurnam Singh, was a doctor, and his mother, Jasveer Kaur, was a homemaker.

Hockey Career Highlights

Sardara Singh started his journey in hockey with the junior Indian team. He first played for them during a tour of Poland in 2003–04. His first game for the senior Indian team was against Pakistan in 2006. He also played for his home state of Haryana. Besides playing hockey, he also worked as a Deputy Superintendent of Police with the Haryana Police.

Playing for Clubs

Sardara Singh played for several clubs during his career.

• In 2005, he played for Chandigarh Dynamos in the first season of the Premier Hockey League.
• From 2006 to 2008, he played for Hyderabad Sultans and was their captain.
• In 2010, he joined the Belgian club KHC Leuven to play in the Belgian Hockey League.
• After showing great skill at the 2013 Asia Cup, he was signed by the Dutch club HC Bloemendaal.

His brother, Didar Singh, also played for the Indian team and was known for his powerful "drag flick" shots.

International Recognition

Sardara Singh was recognized globally for his talent.

• In 2010, he was chosen for the 18-member FIH All-Star team, which includes the best players in the world.
• He was again named to the FIH All-Star team in 2011.

Captaincy and Retirement

Sardara Singh led the Indian team for eight years. On 13 July 2016, the captaincy was passed to P. R. Sreejesh, who is the goalkeeper for the Indian team. Sardara Singh officially stopped playing international hockey in September 2018. In 2019, he became part of a 13-member selection committee for Hockey India.

Hockey India League Success

Sardar Singh was a very important player in the first-ever Hockey India League auctions. The Delhi team, named Delhi Waveriders, bought him for a large sum of money, making him the highest-paid "marquee player." A marquee player is a star player who is very famous and important to the team. He led his team to finish second in the first season and was named the 'Player of the Tournament'. He also received the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, which is India's highest sports honor.

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 Tournament' at the 2012 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, where India won a Bronze medal.
• He was also the 'Player of the Tournament' in the 2012 Summer Olympics Qualifiers, helping India win Gold.
• He was the 'Player of the Tournament' at the 2010 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, where India won Gold.
• He won a Bronze Medal at the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament in Malaysia in 2006.
• He helped the team get 2nd place at the SAF Games in Colombo in 2006.
• He achieved 2nd place at the 7th Junior Challenge Open Men's tournament in Poland in 2006.
• He won a Bronze Medal at the 2007 Men's Hockey Champions Challenge in Belgium in 2007.
• He participated in the Commonwealth Games 2006 in Melbourne.
• He played in 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 helped the team win a Gold Medal at the Men's Hockey Asia Cup in Chennai in 2007.

Sardara Singh playing in the Hero Hockey World League.

• He played for India in a 7-game Test Series against the Canadian National Field Hockey Team in Canada.