09 November,2009 08:57 AM IST | | Chandran Iyer
Two associations plan to start a hockey tournament in memory of 1936 Olympian Babu Nimal, a decade after his demise
After countless years of perseverance, India's hockey great Babu Nimal will finally get his due.
The late Nimal had even impressed Adolf Hitler, the chancellor of Germany, with his skills when India defeated Germany in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. The team's captain Dhyan Chand walked away with the honours, while Nimal was left behind by both the Maharashtra and the Central government.
Now finally, the All India Hockey Federation and the Maharashtra Hockey Association have instituted an annual hockey tournament in his name. The Babu Nimal tournament is scheduled to begin at the end of this month.
Honour
Ikram Khan, secretary, Maharashtra Hockey Federation said, "Considering the fact that both the state as well as central governments have given Nimal a raw deal, we thought of dedicating a tournament to him. We will also felicitate his family at a function, the exact date of which we will finalise soon."
Ramesh Gaikwad, president, All India Hockey Federation said, "We are writing a letter to the Defence Ministry and Sports Ministry to name the sports stadium of Ammunition Factory at Khirkee after him. This is because Babu Nimal was an employee of AFK when he played against Germany in the Olympics."
Small comfort
Nimal's son Dilip said, "I am happy that at least these associations are organising a tournament in the memory of my father. It is definitely a matter of solace for us because the government has totally ignored our father's immense contribution to hockey."
