India, March 16 -- The sweltering March sun beat down on Kuala Lumpur that day, and 70,000 voices braving the heat roared in unison, a mix of passion and anticipation.
At the centre of it all, Ajit Pal Singh stood tall, under the Malaysian sky holding the gleaming trophy aloft. The image was to become a symbol of one of the most cherished moments in Indian sport.
India were World Cup hockey champions at last! Exactly 50 years ago, India scripted a priceless feat in Kuala Lumpur, not just for the sport but for the nation as a whole. It was India's first-ever World Cup title in any team sport.
The moment of glory came when the number of nations affiliated to the international hockey federation (FIH) had reached the three-figure mark (now 1...