LEGENDARY Olympian and 1975 Hockey World Cupgold medallist Ashok Kumar Dhyanchand delivered an inspiring address at the 58th annual prize distribution function of the Bankers’ Sports Council, held at Narayani Hall, urging sports persons to pursue excellence through devotion, discipline and dedication. Sharing his illustrious journey, Ashok Kumar said that while his family members Maj Dhyanchand, Capt Roop singh had won five Olympic gold medals and one silver, he him self could secure only an Olympic silver and a bronze. “The only regret of my career was that Icould not win an Olympic gold medal for India,” he said, adding that the disappointment continued to motivate him and ultimately he succeeded in getting agold medal for India by scoring a winning goal in 1975 World Cupfinal against Pakistan and emerged as world champion. He paid rich tributes to his father,  hockey wizard Major Dhyanchand and uncle Captain Roop Singh, revealing that he deliberately played under the name Ashok Kumar without using the father’s name Dhyanchand.

 

“Myfather always advised me to earn recognition through performance and not because of family name,” he remarked. Praising the Bankers’ Sports Council,Ashok Kumar laudedits remarkable tradition of promoting sports among bankers forthe past 58years and appreciat edits initiative of honouring achievers not only in sports but also in social service and other fields apart from banking. Earlier, Dr Ram Thakur introduced the chief guest. Secretary Ravi Joshi presented the annual report, Prafulla Nandedkar conducted the proceedings and President Ramesh Thakur proposed avote of thanks. The function was attended by Arup Patra, Zonal Manager, Bank of India; Gaurav Kumar, Deputy GeneralManager,UnionBankofIndia; Jakala Surendra Babu, Deputy General Manager, Canara Bank; and Vilas Parate, former Zonal Manager, Bank of India, along with several other senior officials. Bankers Sports Council members including Sharad Padhye,Tribhuwan Meshram, MangeshPuranik, Rajesh Joshi, Chandrakant Manke, PravinGurang, Roopa Sheth and Jayant Chedge worked tirelessly to ensure the grand success of the programme.