Meerut

Hockey wizard Major Dhyan Chand's hockey stick which had been preserved in Meerut for decades has been taken to Jhansi, led by a team of sportspersons, including coach Satish Sharma, and sports officials.

The wooden stick will be handed over to the hockey wizard's son, former olympian Ashok Dhyan Chand, in Jhansi to mark the 117th birth anniversary celebrations of the legend.

Ashok Dhyan Chand was a member of the 1975 world cup winning team.

Coach Satish Sharma said: "This hockey stick is over 66 years old. 'Dadda', as the hockey legend was known, used to practice with this hockey stick in 1956. It was in the possession of Arun Sharma, the grandson of renowned hockey-maker late Sohan Lal Sharma with whom Major Dhyanchand used to spend a lot of time. Arun kept it safely with him to keep the memory of the legend alive."

This stick will now be kept in a sports museum, currently under-construction, in Jhansi.

However, the final decision will be taken by Ashok Dhyan Chand.

Bhupesh Kumar, hockey coach at a sports stadium in Meerut, said Major Dhyan Chand's wooden hockey stick at the museum will inspire a lot of youngsters to take up the sport. A sports tournament is also scheduled to be held in Jhansi to commemorate the occasion.

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A film titled 'Dadda', is being made on the hockey legend.