Hockey historian K. Arumugam and journalist Errol D’Cruz have just published “March of glory”, a book telling the story of India's first World Cup title at the 1975 FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup played in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The book was released on 15 March 2025, in its Golden Jubilee year, in the presence of Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey, as well as two stalwarts of the team, Ashok Kumar and HJS Chimini.
In his congratulations message to the co-authors, FIH President Tayyab Ikram said:
“The Indian men's national team holds a very special place in the history of our sport, and that obviously includes the World Cup. Indeed, not only did India win 8 Gold medals at the Olympic hockey tournaments, but India also clinched three medals - one of each colour - at the World Cup! Winning bronze in the first edition, India went a step further with silver in the next, before scaling it in its third attempt in 1975. The Kuala Lumpur victory was hailed by one and all, as it was achieved with a touch of elegance, aesthetics and majesty.
Co-authors Errol D’Cruz and K. Arumugam have painstakingly traced the epochal success, portrayed every nuance that led to it, while according to prime space for the astonishing skills and sportsmanship traits of players who made it happen.
On behalf of FIH, and in my personal name, I would like to once again pay tribute to all those who have worked for decades to ensure the success of Indian hockey. I extend special congratulations to the athletes who, in 1975, gave India its first ever world crown. This team will forever remain in history.”
Addressing the book release function, Hockey India President Dr. Dilip Tirkey advocated more hockey literature to popularise the sport. While appreciating the efforts of the authors to immortalize one of the greatest moments of Indian sports, and hockey in particular, he also wondered why there is a paucity of hockey literature.
Tirkey, however, expressed joy over the book, saying: "I am delighted that the book has been published as we celebrate the centenary of hockey governance in our country as well as the golden jubilee of our epic victory in Kuala Lumpur."
Besides the FIH and Hockey India Presidents, Ajit Pal Singh, captain of the 1975 World Cup winning Indian team, has also given a foreword to the book.
