BROTHERS IN THE OLYMPICS: What makes Olympian brothers VJ PETER and VJ PHILIPS Unique?
BROTHERS IN THE OLYMPICS: What makes Olympian brothers VJ PETER and VJ PHILIPS Unique?
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K ARUMUGAM
Brothers Victor John Peter and Victor John Philips have a unique place in the annals of Indian hockey history. They are not only the second set of brothers who represented India at the Olympics but what distinguishes them from the rest of the two Olympian siblings needs a bit of elaboration and a long journey into Indian hockey.
There are four sets of Olympic hockey brothers in the sphere of Indian hockey. Dhyan Chand-Roop Singh, VJ Peter-VJ Philips, Harmik Singh — Ajit Singh and the last Charanjit Kumar-Gundeep Kumar.
The first and the third mentioned pairs played at least an Olympics together — Dhyan Chand and Roop Singh in 1932 and 1936, Harmik Singh and Ajit Singh in 1972. Charanjit-Gundeep did not play together.
VJ Peter-VJ Philips played five Olympics, a hat-trick of representation by the older player while the younger one did a double (1972 and 1976).
Dhyan Chand and Roop Singh are the first set of brothers to figure in a cumulative five Olympics. The Harmik Singh-Ajit Singh combine’s Olympic representation is four. However, the younger siblings of Dhyan Chand and Harmik Singh did not lead the country at the Olympics, World Cup or other international bilateral series.
That distinction goes to the proud Chennai pair of VJ Peter and VJ Philip. The younger sibling VJ Philip not only led India at the Asian Games but also at the World Cup.
Those were different days. The availability of tournaments varied from time to time, growing in the post-Independence phase.
Thus, right-winger VJ Philips obtains his unique place among the hockey connoisseurs who have an eye for detail.
Another aspect that comes to mind in context is that only in the case of the Chennai duo, the older brother did not lead India. VJ Peter did get a chance to lead India despite being a triple Olympian.
We will discuss about each of the four pair’s uniqueness in the coming days.
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Missed out Charanjit Kumar and Gundeep Kumar
Thank you so much Sir. Their father is also an international
Also Balbir Singh & his brother Gurbax Singh (W. Fly)
Thanks for your feedback. Yes, its our oversight. We value your feedback
I stand corrected. Thanks sir
Gurbax and Balbir were part of the Indian team to the Mexico Olympics. He didn’t play because he was not required. India relied on V J Peter who was by then slow and comparatively not fit by international standards. Gurbax had gained a place in the national side playing for Mumbai at the Ooty nationals and not Railways. Queerly, he was selected as an inside left along with Inam ur Rehman and both didn’t play. Half the team wasn’t fit and the arrogance, if you can call it, caused our downfall. Not Gurbax’s fault that he didn’t play. But he has the bronze medal as well as the pension. Anybody in the sixteen is deemed to have played for India. There are lots of skeletons related to the 1968 debacle. Sadly nobody wants to go on record.
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