Ajit Pal Singh (born April 5, 1947) was an Indian field hockey player from Sansarpur, Punjab. He was the
captain of the Indian hockey team. He was conferred the Arjuna Award in 1970, and awarded it in 1972. He played
at centre half position. He was captain of the Indian team at the Hockey World Cup 1975 held in Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia.He represented India in three Olympics from 1968 through 1976, winning bronze medals in his first two
Olympic Games. He was appointed as India's chef de mission for 2012 Summer Olympics. It was the first time
that a sports person was given this opportunity, as earlier this position went to either politicians or
administrators.
Early Life
He was born on the 1st of April 1947 at Sansarpur, a small village near Jallandhar Cantonment
of Punjab, which was famous as a breeding ground for the Hockey stars as this village had been home to a number
of International Hockey players who had done the nation proud with their commendable performance in the game.
Domestic Hockey
At the age of 7 or 8 years little Ajit had been handed over a Hockey stick by his uncle.
He studied at the Cantonment Board Higher Secondary School, Jallandhar Cantonment and at the age of 16 years
represented the Punjab State Schools Hockey team in the year 1963. During his initial days, Ajit used to play
at the Full Back position. He moved to the Lyallpur Khalsa College, Jallandhar in the year 1964, and stayed
there for a period of 4 years leading the college to 3 victories in the Punjab University College tournament.
It was here that Ajit shifted from Full Back to Center Half, his real position. He was named the Captain of
Punjab University Hockey team in the year 1966, and represented Indian Universities’ Hockey team in the year 1968.
International Hockey
Ajit Pal Singh made his debut in International Hockey with a tournament played at Bombay in the year 1960.
He was selected in the Indian Hockey team that visited Japan in the year 1966, and participated in the Pre-Olympic
tournament held in London the next year. Further, he played in the Olympic Games Mexico 1968 and delivered a
brilliant performance although the Indian Hockey squad stood at 3rd spot at the event. Ajit played for the
Indian Hockey team at Bangkok Asian Games 1970, and was named the Captain of the Indian squad that played at
Post Shuan Tournament held at Singapore in 1971, and Tehran Asian Games 1974. The Indian team managed to
grab a Silver Medal at both the events. He was a part of the Indian squad at Munich Olympic Games 1972,
where the team finished at 3rd spot getting a Bronze Medal. He led the Indian Hockey team to World Cup
Hockey tournament held at Kuala Lumpur in 1975 leading the team to win the tournament and also at Montreal
Olympic Games 1976 where the Indian team fared really bad and finished at the 7th spot. After this debacle,
Ajit Pal Singh retired from International Hockey, although he participated in his last International Hockey
event in the year 1980 at Champions Trophy Tournament, Karachi. Even after his retirement from International
Hockey, Ajit continued to play in Domestic Hockey Circuit for Border Security Force (B.S.F.) team.
Awards
As an honor to his outstanding contribution to Indian Hockey, Ajit Pal Singh was conferred
upon the Arjuna Award in the year 1970. Further, he was also bestowed upon the Padma Shri award in the year 1992.)