Sardara Singh

Sardara Singh

Personal information
Born	15 July 1986 Santnagar, Rania Tehsil Sirsa, India
Height	1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)[1]
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–present	HC Bloemendaal	0	(0)
National team
2006–present	India	191	(13)
Medal record Men’s Field Hockey Representing  India Hockey World League 2015 Raipur Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi Team 2014 Glasgow Team Champions Challenge 2011 Johannesburg Team 2007 Boom Team 2009 Salta Team Asia Cup 2007 Chennai Team 2013 Ipoh Team Asian Games 2014 Incheon Team 2010 Guangzhou Team
Last updated on: 7 December 2015

Sardara Singh (born 15 July 1986 in Rania) sometimes referred as Sardar Singh, is an Indian professional field hockey player. He was the captain of the Indian national team till Hockey India named senior goalkeeper PR Sreejesh as the captain of the national team for the Rio Olympics.^[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 Jul 2016, the responsibilities of the captain were handed over from him to PR Sreejesh, the goalkeeper of Indian Team.^[6]

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.^[7] He also plays for his native state of Haryana. He is a Deputy Superintendent Police Officer with the Haryana Police and plays for their team.^[8] 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.^[9]

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.^[10] In the same year, Singh was signed by the Belgian club, KHC Leuven to play in the Belgian Hockey League.^[10] In 2011, he was again named on the FIH All-Star team.^[11] 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.^[12]

On 13 Jul 2016, the responsibilities of the captain were handed over from him to PR Sreejesh, the goalkeeper of Indian Team.

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 USD 78,000 (₹42.49 lakh). The Delhi team was named Delhi Waveriders.^[13] He captained his side to finish on second place in its inaugural season and was awarded the 'Player of the Tournament.'^[14]

Indian hockey team captain Saradara Singh at Kalinga stadium celebrating after victory over netherland

Achievements

• Awarded 'Player of Tournament' in the 2012 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, where India won the Bronze.^[15]
• He was adjudged the Player of the Tournament in the 2012 Summer Olympics Qualifiers, where India won the Gold.
• He was adjudged the Player of the Tournament in the 2010 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, where India won the Gold.
• He participated in Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament in Malaysia in the year 2006 and the team won Bronze Medal.
• He participated in SAF Games at Colombo in the year 2006 and the team scored 2nd position.
• He participated in 7th Junior Challenge Open Men's at Poland 2006 and scored 2nd position.
• He participated in BDO Hockey Champions Challenge at Belgium 2007 and got Bronze Medal.
• He participated in Commonwealth Games 2006 at Melbourne.
• He participated in INDO-PAK series 2006.
• He participated in Four Nations International Tournament at Germany and the team scored Bronze Medal.
• He also participated in Four Nations Hockey Tournament at Lahore and the team win Silver Medal.
• He participated in Hockey Asia Cup at Chennai 2007 and the team grabbed Gold Medal.
• He participated for India in Canada for the 7 game Test Series against the Canadian National Field Hockey Team

References

1. "CWG Melbourne: Player's Profile".
2. P Sreejesh named captain The Hindu, Jul 12, 2016.
3. Sardara Singh strikes form The Hindu, Mar 15, 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 26 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. "Meet the heroes of Hockey". Men's Health. Retrieved 3 September 2013.
8. "Appointment of Sh. Sardar Singh as DSP in Haryana Police". Haryana Police.
9. "Hyderabad Sultans reach semi-finals". Rediff. 2 January 2008. Retrieved 3 September 2008.
10. "Sardara to play in Belgian Hockey League". The Times of India. 27 December 2010. Retrieved 3 September 2013.
11. "Glasgow 2014 - Sardar Singh Profile". g2014results.thecgf.com. Retrieved 2016-03-10.
12. "Sardar Singh joins Europe's iconic hockey club HC Bloemendaal". NDTV. 3 September 2013. Retrieved 3 September 2013.
13. "Hockey India League Auction: the final squads list". 2012-12-16. Retrieved 2013-01-13.
14. "Ranchi Rhinos crowned HIL champions". The Hindu. 11 February 2013. Retrieved 3 September 2013.
15. "New Zealand beat Argentina to win Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Hockey Tournament". Jagran Josh. 4 June 2012.