Origins of Hockey

Throughout the history, many countries have invented different games that are very similar to hockey. These games used curved sticks and a ball.

The earliest written evidence is traced back to the 4000 year old Egyptian drawings. According to Hurling, the drawings can be dated to 1272 B.C. In the drawing, it shows that the Egyptian are playing a game that involves a horn and ball like object. The Chinese people play Beikou as hockey in their own country. The word hockey was first used in an announcement by King Edward III in England. In the announcement, King Edward III decreed that anyone who play hockey will be subject to imprisonment.

The modern hockey game evolved through the local schools in England. In 1849, a hockey club was established at Blackheath in London. Teddington Hockey Club devised the modern rules for hockey. In the rule, the player must hit the ball to the striking circle from a rubber cube.

In 1886, the Hockey Association was established. In 1895, the first international hockey contest took place where Ireland score 4 over Wales. After 5 years, the International Rules Board came into existence. Hockey became a participating sport in the Summer Olympics from 1908 to 1920. Later, the Federation Interionale de Hockey sur Fazon (FIH) remove hockey from the Summer Olympics. It was reintroduced into the Summer Olympics in 1928.

Hockey was introduced to India in 1885. Ten years later, the Beighton cup and Aga Khan tournament took place. India participated in the Olympics in 1928 and won all the games from 1932 – 1980. In 1964, there are more than 50 countries participating in the FIH. Today, there are 119 members from around the globe. The most recent country that is added to the list is the Bahamas Hockey Association. FIH not only play an important role in regulating hockey worldwide but also in the development of the future of the hockey.