Major Manna Singh (20 February 1914 – 22 July 1954) was an Indian field hockey player and officer in the British Indian Army. He was the coach of Indian field hockey team.[1][2][3][4]
Manna Singh | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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![]() Major Manna Singh Shaking Hand with K. M. Cariappa along with Major Dhyan Chand (1950) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Born | Naushera, Punjab British India | 20 February 1914|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Died | 22 July 1954 Poonch, J&K, India | (aged 40)|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Allegiance | ![]() ![]() | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Service/ | ![]() ![]() | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Years of service | 1930 – 1954 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rank | ![]() | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Unit | Maratha Light Infantry | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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History
editManna Singh was born in Naushera, Punjab British India on 20 February 1914. Manna Singh father's name was Kalyan Singh. Manna got his BS degree at Khalsa College, Amritsar. He joined the British India Army before India's independence in 1947.[5][1]
Manna Singh was selected to play in 1940 Summer Olympics, but the Olympic Games were suspended indefinitely due to the World War II and did not resume until the London Games of 1948.[citation needed]
After 1947 India's independence Manna got transferred to Indian army. He played top level field hockey along with major Dhyan Chand. 1950 Manna along with Dhyan Chand got services gold medal. Manna served Indian Army at Pune and Ahmedabad. In 1954 he was posted in J&K, India.[5]
In 1951, he played for Indian hockey team and won Rangaswami Cup with his team.[6]
Death
editManna Singh died on 22 July 1954 while patrolling LoC (Line of control) in Poonch, J&K, India. He was survived by wife Jagjit, son Daljit and daughters Harkirat and Kamaljit.[6][1]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Asked to coach by Dhyan Chand, he is still doing it, at 81 - Indian Express". archive.indianexpress.com.
- ^ "Filed Marshal Kondandera Cariappa with the Indian Hockey Team players, Major Dhyan Singh ( the illustrious Dhyan Chand ) & Major Manna Singh. c 1950. Image Credit: bharatiyahockey.org |". www.coorg.com.
- ^ "Goal! by Dhyan Chand". www.bharatiyahockey.org.
- ^ "Independent India's historical tour of East Africa 1947-48". Stick2Hockey.
- ^ a b Shaat, Pratap Singh. "Manna Singh - India's Forgotten Hockey Hero". The Sikh Review. No. 1984.
- ^ a b "Hockey's Loss". The Madras Hindu. No. July 1954. The Hindu.