Back in 1929, the worst stock market crash in American history took place which is also popularly know as ‘the Wall Street Crash’. Wall Street is called the financial centre of America which consists of some of the largest financial institutions in the world. Exactly three years later in 1932 Olympics returned to Los Angeles which brought sadness for many. India was going through a financial crisis then and the Indian hockey team was on the verge of withdrawing from the Summer Games. India fell in love with Hockey after clinching gold in the 1928 Olympics. To participate in the next tournament, India started the National Trials so as to select the best team to compete in the marquee tournament.
Dearth of money, time of adversity
The Indian team won their second consecutive gold in the Olympics on August 11, 1932. The most important thing about this match was that India recorded the biggest victory in the history of hockey when they routed America 24-1. Apart from the legendary Dhyanchand, the Indian Hockey Federation also selected his younger brother Roop Singh in the team. Members of the 1928 Olympics team, Eric Pinniger, Richard Allen and Leslie Hammond were also included in the 1932 Olympic team for India. Lal Singh Bokhari was appointed the captain of the Indian hockey team then. The team was selected but the biggest challenge then was to raise money so that the team could be sent to Los Angeles for the Olympic Games.
The Indian Hockey Federation had to approach the Royal Family and the Governor and took a loan. Post which, the Federation organised several exhibition matches and the team played these matches in big cities like Bombay, Bangalore, Madras and Delhi. Not only this, during its 42-day sea voyage, the Indian team stopped at every port and played matches to raise money. However, later there was a ruckus among the players regarding this money. But somehow the team managed to reach Los Angeles.
Journey to back-to-back gold
The Indian team reached Los Angeles to participate in the 1932 Summer Olympic Games. But rest of the teams didn't show that courage which Team India exhibited in the time of adversity. Only three teams had agreed for this tournament. One was the Indian team, second was Japan and the third was America who was hosting the tournament. One thing was certain that all the three teams was assured the medals while the fight was for the coveted gold.
When India trounced America 24-1
India's first match was with Japan and in a short time Japan realised how strong the team was. Dhyanchand posted four goals for India while Roop Singh and striker Gurmeet Singh scored hat-tricks to thrash Japan 11-1. In their next match against America, the Indian team rotated its entire team. As a result, India achieved its biggest victory in the history of hockey. India crushed America 24-1 which is still a big record. This time Roop Singh scored 10 goals, Dhyanchand two, Gurmeet Singh Kullar five and Eric Piniger scored one goal for the winning cause. India's dominance in the match was such that America could only manage to score just one goal.
With a lead of 24 goals, the defenders of the Indian hockey team gave leeway to the American side to score goals. The Indian team did not realise that goalkeeper Richard Allen was busy signing autographs which gave America a chance net a goal. Japan had earlier defeated America 9-2, so the team got the silver medal while the gold medal went to India's bag.
