New Delhi, November 7, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Hockey India on Saturday paid tribute to former Indian women’s hockey team chief coach Gurdial Singh Bhangu, who passed away in Canada at the age of 86.
Bhangu coached the Indian women’s team during its historic gold medal-winning campaign at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester. The team’s remarkable victory later inspired filmmaker Shimit Amin to make the Bollywood film Chak De! India.
In a post on X, Hockey India said, “Hockey India mourns the sad demise of the Chief Coach of the 2002 Commonwealth Games Gold Medal-winning Indian Women’s Team, Shri Gurdial Singh Bhangu, at the age of 86. His contribution to Indian hockey will always be remembered. Our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.”
Bhangu was appointed head coach of the Indian women’s team in 1998, following the team’s 12th-place finish at the World Cup. A few months later, he guided the side to an Asian Games silver medal.
India defeated England 3-2 in the 2002 Commonwealth Games final, with Mamta Kharab scoring a golden goal in extra time to secure the historic title.
The victory became the inspiration for Chak De! India. However, the film’s central character, Kabir Khan, was inspired by Mir Ranjan Negi, who faced backlash following India’s defeat to Pakistan in the 1982 Asian Games final. Negi was the Indian women’s team’s goalkeeping coach during the 2002 Commonwealth Games.
Born in Lyallpur, now in Pakistan, on October 3, 1941, Bhangu joined the National Institute of Sports in Patiala in 1965, where he worked under legendary hockey player Dhyan Chand.
He served as chief coach of the Nigerian women’s hockey team from 1972 to 1976 and helped the side make its first-ever World Cup appearance in 1976. He was appointed India’s women’s team head coach in 1998.
Bhangu received the Dronacharya Award and was the first hockey coach to be honoured with the award. He later moved to Surrey, Canada, where he passed away.
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