Issued by India

Issued on Aug 5, 2024

Issued for : The Department of Posts and the Indian Olympic Association are delighted to release miniature Sheet consisting of four Commemorative Postage Stamps on XXXIII Olympics Paris 2024. These stamps honor the spirit of sporting excellence and international unity showcased at Paris 2024. Representing sports like Javelin Throw, Field Hockey, Sailing, and Table Tennis, each stamp celebrates the diversity and talent of athletes competing on the world stage. The Miniature Sheet captures the essence of the Olympic Games, serving as a cherished memento for collectors and enthusiasts. The First Day Cover, adorned with a distinctive cancellation mark, signifies the official commencement of the stamp’s circulation, adding a special touch to this commemorative collection. Through these stamps, we pay tribute to the dedication, perseverance, and sportsmanship of athletes who inspire us all with their remarkable achievements.

Credits :
Miniature Sheet/FDC/Brochure/Cancellation Cachet : Sh. Brahm Prakash

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise (4)

Miniature Sheets Printed : 111000

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• The 2024 Summer Olympics, fondly known as Paris 2024 or the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad, are poised to be a momentous event in the world of sports, culture, and international camaraderie. Commenced on 26^th July 2024 in Paris, France, these Games hold special significance as they mark the centennial of the 1924 Paris Olympics, bringing a sense of historical continuity and celebration to the forefront. With a rich tapestry of 32 sports, 329 events, and an anticipated participation of 10,500 athletes from over 200 National Olympic Committees (NOCs), alongside the inclusion of the IOC Refugee Olympic Team, Paris 2024 promises to be a truly global spectacle, showcasing the pinnacle of human athletic achievement.
• An unprecedented feature of Paris 2024 is its commitment to gender equality, symbolized by an equal representation of male and female athletes, a historic first in the Olympic Games. This milestone underscores the ongoing efforts towards inclusivity and fairness in the realm of sports, resonating with the Olympic values of excellence, friendship, and respect. The inclusivity extends to the medal design itself, with each medal incorporating hexagon-shaped tokens of scrap iron from the original construction of the iconic Eiffel Tower, an emblem of French ingenuity and heritage. On the reverse side, the medals depict Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, set within the historic Panathenaic Stadium, with the Parthenon and the Eiffel Tower standing proudly in the background, symbolizing the timeless spirit of athletic triumph.
• India, with its rich sporting heritage and burgeoning talent pool, is poised to make its mark at Paris 2024 across various disciplines. The Department of Posts is issuing a set of four commemorative stamps featuring sports such as Javelin Throw, Field Hockey, Sailing, and Table Tennis to underscore India’s achievements and contributions to the Olympic movement. From the historic gold medal in Javelin Throw at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics to the storied legacy of Indian hockey, exemplified by multiple Olympic medals, including eight golds, India’s sporting prowess continues to captivate and inspire.
• Moreover, the burgeoning popularity of water sports like Sailing and the emergence of Indian Table Tennis athletes on the global stage further underscore India’s growing footprint in diverse sporting arenas. With both the Men’s and Women’s Table Tennis teams qualifying for the Olympics for the first time in history, Paris 2024 heralds a new era of possibilities and potential for Indian athletes, signaling the country’s emergence as a force to be reckoned with on the international stage.
• At its core, the Olympic motto “Citius, Altius, Fortius” – Faster, Higher, Stronger – encapsulates the spirit of Paris 2024 and the enduring legacy of the Olympic Games. It serves as a reminder of the unyielding pursuit of excellence, the relentless drive for progress, and the boundless potential of human achievement. As athletes from around the world converge in Paris to compete on the grandest stage of all, they embody the values of determination, resilience, and sportsmanship that define the Olympic Movement, inspiring generations and uniting nations in the shared pursuit of a better world.
• Text : Referenced from content provided by Proponent.

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Issued by India

Issued on Nov 27, 2018

Issued for : To mark this event, Department of Posts is pleased to issue a set of five Commemorative Postage Stamps on Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2018.

Design : The Miniature sheet has unique & attractive shape. In a first, away from the usual rectangular and square shapes, the Miniature Sheet depicting these stamps has a unique stamp to not only celebrate the spirit of hockey but also to attract the youth to the fold of Philately.

Credits :
Stamps/Miniature Sheet/FDC/Brochure/Cancellation Cachet : Shri Kamleshwar Singh

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise (5)

Stamps Printed : 503900 each

Miniature Sheets Printed : 130000

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• Hockey is one of the most ancient games perhaps even older than the Olympics. In the Indian subcontinent, Hockey spread with the advent of British rule in the late 19^th century. The first ever hockey club was established in Calcutta in 1885. This was followed by establishment of a number of clubs in different parts of the country. On 7^th November 1925 all these clubs assembled in Gwalior and formed Indian Hockey Federation (IHF). IHF got authorization from International Hockey Federation (FIH) in 1927 which paved the way for India’s participation in the Summer Olympic Games of 1928 at Amsterdam in which the Indian Team won the Gold Medal. This was followed by 5 consecutive Olympic Gold Medals in Hockey in Los Angeles Olympics (1932), Berlin Olympics (1936), London Olympics (1948), Helsinki Olympics (1952) and Melbourne Olympics (1956). To date, Indian Men’s Hockey Team has won eight Gold, one Silver and two Bronze medals.
• The capital of Odisha, Bhubaneswar is hosting the prestigious Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018 from 28^th November to 16^th December, 2018. The Men’s Hockey World Cup is an international field hockey competition organised by the International Hockey Federation (FIH). The tournament was started in 1971. It is held every four years, bridging the four years between the Summer Olympics.
• This is the 14^th edition of the biggest tournament in Men’s Hockey alongside the Olympics. It is for the third time that India is hosting this tournament starting organized it in 1982 at Mumbai and in 2010 at New Delhi. This year’s tournament will make India only the second nation to host three World Cups, after Netherlands who hosted it on three occasions: 1973, 1998 and 2014. A total of sixteen teams from around the world are participating in the quadrennial event which is being held at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium that can house 15000 people with addition of new stands and galleries. It is only the second time in the history of the competition that sixteen teams will be competing for the title. A total of 36 matches would be played over a span of 19 days in the tournament where the sixteen teams will be divided into four Pools of four teams each.
• Hockey India is the apex body of the country which has the sole mandate to govern and conduct all activities for both men and women hockey in India. It is recognized as the National Sports Federation by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India and is also affiliated to the International Hockey Federation (FIH), the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and Asian Hockey Federation (AHF). Government of Odisha is the sponsor of both the Men’s and Women’s National Hockey Teams in a partnership with Hockey India (HI) till 2023. The craze of Hockey amongst the public in Odisha has seen the state grow into a global hub for the sport, with several players emerging to represent the Indian National team. This initiative is the first of its kind for any State Government. Government of Odisha, has partnered with FIH and Hockey India to provide their support to the sport and have been making preparations throughout the State to welcome thousands of tourists from around the world who are expected to visit to witness the action.
• Text : Based on information received from the proponent.

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Issued by India

Issued on Aug 13, 2004

Issued for : The Department of Posts is proud to issue a set of four stamps on the 28^th Olympics.

Design : Stamps featuring Olympic themes have been popular with collectors since the first modern Olympic games, when Greece issued 12 commemorative stamps in 1896. Since then many nations have issued stamps on the Olympic Games theme.

To honour the Olympic spirit and to reflect India’s striving towards excellence in sports, four stamps are being brought out by India Post to commemorate the 28^th Olympic Games. These stamps feature the disciplines of wrestling (Rs. 5/-), shooting (Rs. 15/-), hockey (Rs. 15/-) and athletics (Rs. 5/-).

Credits :
Stamp & FDC : Kamleshwar Singh
Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Se–tenant Block of 4 Stamps, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500, 500, 1500 & 1500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 3 Million each

Printing Process : Photogravure

Printer : Calcutta Security Printers Ltd.

About : 

• The greatest show on earth, where continents converge, nations compete, human endurance and strength extends its known limits, where history is repeated and often re-written, where the sporting spirit soars citius, altius, forteus, i.e. faster, higher, stronger, and finds echoes transcending all boundaries, of colour, race or ideology, the Olympic Games, resurrected from antiquity continues its revered tradition as a pan-global tradition in modern times.
  
• The ancient Olympic Games began in 776 BC, when the first athletic contest, a 170 metres foot race, was held at the sacred place of Olympia in Western Peloponnese, in honour of the Olympian Zeus, and was won by one Coroibos. The Games steadily expanded with the introduction of other races and a pentathlon event consisting of running, discuss throwing, long jump, javelin and wrestling. The original prize was the coveted olive wreath but valuable gifts followed, along with recognition for the victors who were specially honoured by their home towns and states. The prestige of the ancient Olympic Games was such that warring states would cease hostilities in order to honour the ceremonies. This is the spirit that has, in general, endured.
• The Olympic Games were banned by the Roman Emperor Theodosius-I in the 4^th century AD. Revival of the games came after a long time when Baron Pierre de Coubertin (1863-1937) made efforts which led to the forming of the International Olympic Committee in 1894, and the first modern Olympic Games was held in Athens in 1896. The International Olympic Committee passed a resolution in its meeting at Sorbonne (France) in 1894 that competitions be held every four years on the lines of the Greek Olympic Games, and that every nation be invited to participate in them.
• India is one of the oldest members of the International Olympic family. India‘s participation in the Olympic Games dates back to 1900, when a lone Englishman participating on behalf of India won one Silver and one Bronze medal in Athletics. Subsequently, India has regularly participated in the Olympic Games since 1920. India has the distinction of winning six Gold medals in consecutive Olympic Games in Hockey till 1956. Thereafter in the Tokyo and Moscow Olympics also gold medals in Hockey were won by India. In recent times, India won a Bronze medal in 1996 at Atlanta in Tennis through Leander Paes, and in 2000 at Sydney in Weightlifting through Karnam Malleswari. In both Atlanta and Sydney India participated in 13 disciplines. In the 28^th Olympics being held in Athens from 13^th to 29^th August, 2004, India will be participating in 14 disciplines.

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Issued by India

Issued on Sep 17, 2000

Description of Stamp Designs : The four stamps portray Hockey, Tennis, Weightlifting and Discus. The Designs which attempt to capture the excitement of sporting action are indicative of India’s quest for Olympic glory.

Credits :
Stamp & FDC : Kamleshwar Singh
Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : First Day Cover

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 300, 600, 1000 & 1500 Paise

Overall size : 2.9 x 2.9 Cms.

Printing size : 2.9 x 2.9 Cms.

Perforation : 13.5 x 13.5

Paper : Matt Chromo

Stamps Printed : 3 million each

Number per issue sheet : 40

Printing Process : Photo Offset

Printer : Calcutta Security Printers Ltd.

About : 

• The Olympic Games, held once in every four years, are the greatest sporting events on the globe. They celebrate human excellence, the pinnacle of which is achieved when the mind and body strive in unison, motivated by a spirit of adventure.
• The ancient Olympic celebrations, which had its origin in Greece in the eighth century B.C., came to an end in 393 A.D. when the games were abolished by the Roman emperor Theodosius I, after Greece had lost its independence. However, the efforts of Baron Pierre Coubertin (1863-1937) of France led to the revival of the Olympics towards the end of 19^th century. The games of the I Olympiad of the modern cycle were held under the patronage of the King of Greece in 1896 in Athens. The games have been held regularly every 4 years thereafter, except for the years of the two world wars, and have grown in number of sports, besides the number of disciplines within each sport. The Olympic motto “Citius, Altius, Fortius” – swifter, higher, stronger, made its appearance at the Antwerp games in 1922. Its inventor was a Dominican, Father Henry Didon.
• India is one of the oldest members of the International Olympic family. India’s participation in Olympic Games dates back to 1920 and the country has been participating in all the Olympic Games ever since. India has the credit of winning six gold medals in consecutive Olympic Games in Hockey till 1956. Thereafter in Tokyo and Moscow Olympics, gold medals were won. India has the credit of occupying the fourth place in 1956 Olympic games in Football, the game of the masses.
• To improve the India’s medal tally in the Olympic Games, the country is on course to adopt modern scientific approach in grooming talented youth in sports, backed by professional administrative management of sports. The National Sports Policy of the country spells out a time-bound programme to provide infrastructure of sports and physical education in villages and towns and appropriate equipment to sports persons. It enjoins upon the governments to preserve playfields and open spaces and emphasises the necessity of effective training and competition programmes for preparation of national teams to participate in international competitions. The Government has also launched various sports promotion schemes for creation of infrastructure as well as providing incentives to sports persons.
• India and Sydney Olympic Games
  • India would be fielding a 72 member team with 49 men and 23 women athletes in XXVII Olympic Games to be held from 15 September to 1 October 2000 at Sydney. The country will participate in 12 disciplines viz. Athletics, Badminton, Boxing, Hockey, Judo, Rowing, Shooting, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Weightlifting and Wrestling. The Department of Posts joins the sports lovers of the country in extending its good wishes to the Indian contingent to return form Sydney with creditable performances to gladden the hearts of all Indians.
• Text : Based on material furnished by the Indian Olympic Association.

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Issued by Pakistan

Issued on Dec 31, 1994

Designer : Jaweduddin (PSPC)

Type : Stamp, Postal Used

Denomination : Rs. 5/-

Colour : Multi colour

Size of Stamp : 38.5 x 28.5 mm

Size of Print : 34.5 x 24.5 mm

Perforation : 13C

Paper : 102 gsm + crescent & star water mark dual purpose coated PVA gum

Quantity : 500,000

Number of stamps in a sheet : 25 stamps (5 x 5 rows)

Process of Printing : Litho Offset

Printers : Pakistan Security Printing Corporation

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Issued by India

Issued on Aug 8, 1992

Description of Designs :
Stamp : Pulak Biswas
First Day Cover : Shankha Samant
Cancellation : Shankha Samant

Type : Stamps, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 100, 600, 800 & 1100 Paise

Overall size : 3.91 x 2.90 cms.

Printing size : 3.55 x 2.54 cms.

Perforation : 13 x 13

Paper : Imported Un W/M gravure coated Gummed Stamp Paper

Number Printed : 10,00,000

Number per issue sheet : 35

Printing Process : Photogravure

Printer : India Security Press

About : 

• The ancient Olympic celebrations staged every four years were started by the Greeks to honour their god Zeus. Through their sporting actions at the Olympiads, man was shown as offering a tribute to the gods. The ancient programmes had boxing with bare fists, wrestling in which violence was paramount, racing over stades (distance of approximately 200 metres) besides the popular chariot races.
• While these Games were based on the concept which was later to be termed as amateurism, the winner of various events at the Olympics were suitably awarded by the royalty. The winner of the chariot race was the most decorated and revered and his prize was 100 vases of olive oil besides other gifts, like food supply, arches or statues in their honour.
• But the ancient Olympics came to an end in 393 AD when Emperor Theodosius banned the Games.
• A French man named Baron Pierre de Coubertin dreamt of reviving the Olympics in their pure form. But it was only in 1892 that he dared to make his idea public. By 1894 he was able to garner up enough support and towards November, Athens was chosen as the first Modern Olympics were declared open by King George I of Greece. The games had 42 events in ten disciplines and there were a total of 285 participants. A new era had dawned.
• Hockey was introduced in the Olympics in 1908 at London and was included in 1912 at Stockholm, with England emerging winners both times. But the discipline was dropped in 1920 and 1924 before being revived in 1928, when India first took part in it and won the gold medal. India were to win the gold at the next five Olympics in 1932, 1936, 1948, 1952 and 1956 before losing to Pakistan in 1960. India won the hockey twice in 1964 and 1980 to make it seven golds overall.
• Boxing had always been a part of the Olympics. They have a history from the ancient Olympics and when Modern Olympics came into being in 1896, they were on the programme. India won a bronze medal in wrestling in 1952 through K D Jadhav. It was the only medal India has won at the Olympics apart from hockey (upto 1992), in which it has won seven gold, one silver (in 1960) and two bronze (in 1968 and 1972).
• Discus throw is a part of the athletics programme and this event has often been portrayed on ancient Greek paintings and carvings.
• Gymnastics is the mother of all sports and is an aesthetic display of the architectural ability of the human form. This has now become an integral and essential sports disciplines in all competitions.
• Olympic Torch which is lit at the temple of Zeus is carried by relay of runners to the main venue to be lit before Commencement of the games. At Barcelona the torch was ignited by a lighted arrow shot by an ace archer.

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Issued by Pakistan

Issued on Feb 12, 1990

Issued for : To commemorate 7^th World Hockey Cup, Lahore, Pakistan Post Office is issuing a stamp of Rs. 2/- denomination on February 12, 1990.

Design : The hockey players are shown artistically and symbolically in sketchy form in action through stain glass effect. The logo of the 7^th World Hockey Cup is depicted on the left hand margin of the stamp.

Designer : Mr. Mohammad Ali Khan (PSPC)

Type : Stamp, Postal Used

Denomination : Rs. 2/-

Colours : Multi Colour

Size of stamp : 61.5 x 28 mm

Size of print : 56.5 x 23 mm

Perforation : 13C

Paper : 102 gms dual purpose coated PVA gum

Quantity : Four million

Number of stamps in a sheet : 27 stamps (3 x 9 rows)

Process of printing : Litho Offset

Printer : Pakistan Security Printing Corporation

About : 

• The idea of the World Cup was conceived by the Pakistan Hockey Federation some time in the late 1960s and the beautiful trophy for the winner was designed and donated by Pakistan.
• At FIH Council meeting held on October 26, 1969, it was decided to hold a World Cup Competition. The first World Hockey Cup tournament was held in 1971 in Barcelona, Spain. Pakistan donated the World Cup worth Rs. 600,000 (US $ 30000). His Excellency, the then Ambassador of Pakistan in Belgium, handed over World Cup to the FIH President on March 27, 1971.
• The 7^th World Hockey Cup will be organised by the Pakistan Hockey Federation on behalf of the International Hockey Federation. Pakistan will have the honour of holding the World Championship for the first time in a most befitting manner.
• Hockey is national game of Pakistan. The World Cup will, be a memorable occasion in the history of sports in Pakistan. Hundreds of thousands of hockey fans are expected to throng the National Hockey Stadium, Lahore during the tournament.
• Lahore, the city of culture, gardens and repository of Mughal Empire, welcomes the participants to the 7^th World Hockey Cup to be held at National Hockey Stadium, Lahore from 12^th to 23^rd February 1990. Apart from participating teams, top ranking officials and technical officials of Federation of International Hockey are coming to supervise the World Hockey Cup tournament from all over the world.
• The 7^th World Hockey Cup is the most prestigious Hockey Tournament. Teams from all over the globe will be participating. The teams have been divided into two pools. Pool ‘A’ consists of Argentina, Australia, France, Holland, India, USSR. Pool ‘B’ comprises of Canada, England, Ireland, Pakistan, Spain and West Germany. The matches on the two pitches are to be played on League basis. The winners of Pool ‘A’ will play against runners-up of Pool ‘B’ and winners of Pool ‘B’ will play against runners-up of Pool ‘A’ for the semi-finals. The winners of these matches will play finals of the championship. The remaining eight teams will compete in classification matches.
• Newly constructed National Hockey Stadium shall be the venue of the 7^th World Hockey Cup. It is located in a posh locality at Lahore and has a very pretty and picturesque surroundings. The Stadium has the capacity for 50,000 spectators providing all the amenities to players, organisers and spectators.
• National Hockey Stadium, Lahore is one of the best and biggest hockey stadiums in the world with the latest brand of system-90 Astro Turf pitch. The practising pitch has the system-5 Astro Turf. The provision of 2^nd pitch astro-turf was a must for the organisation of the World Hockey Cup competition. The new Astro Turf has been laid on the eastern side of the National Hockey Stadium. This was a challenging task; but the work was accomplished in the stipulated period.
• To facilitate working of international Press during World Cup tournament, special telecommunication arrangements have been improvised at the National Hockey Stadium with the active assistance of Telecommunication Authorities. Temporary telex, fax and international telephone have been installed besides other facilities including establishment of a temporary Post Office which will also sell postage stamps commemorating the 7^th World Hockey Cup.
• Pakistan has distinction of winning World Hockey Cup in 1971 (Barcelona – Spain), 1978 (Buenos Aires – Argentina), 1982 (Bombay – India) and Silver Medal in 1975 (Kuala Lumpur). These achievements are yet unparalleled. Pakistan had during the past few years facing a bad patch in international competitions; but is now facing the coveted World Hockey Cup competition with confidence. The statistical record of the World Hockey Cup since its inception is as follows :–
  

  Venue			No. of Teams	Victory Stand
  Year	Place	Country		Winner	Runners-up	3rd position
  1971	Barcelona	Spain	10	Pakistan	Spain	India
  1973	Amsterdam	Holland	12	Holland	India	W. Germany
  1975	Kuala Lumpur	Malaysia	12	India	Pakistan	W. Germany
  1978	Buenos Aires	Argentina	12	Pakistan	Holland	Australia
  1982	Bombay	India	12	Pakistan	W. Germany	Australia
  1986	London	G. Britain	12	Australia	England	W. Germany

• Mr. Bashir Moojid, the designer and artisan from the Pakistan‘s Army’s Corps at Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, had designed and shaped the World Cup Trophy as per the idea of the then PHF President. The World Cup is a magnificent trophy, 65 centimetre high and 11.56 kilograms in weight, made from gold (895 grams), silver (6815 grams), ivory (350 grams) and teak wood (3500 grams). The trophy stands mounted on a 12 cms high blade base beautifully inlaid with ivory. The trophy itself consists of a globe depicting the world in silver and gold, on top of which is a ball and hockey stick with gold and silver.
• The insignia of World Cup carries two sticks, with a hockey ball, one at the top and second at the bottom of a round circle indicating the world. Pakistan Hockey Federation insignia has been plated in the middle of the World Cup. Colour scheme indicates green and white colours of Pakistan flag.
• Gold medals will be awarded to the winners, silver medals to the runners-up and bronze medals will be given to 3^rd position. A specially donated ‘Cup’ will be given to the champion country.
• A cultural show of 1000 troupe will be presenting the folk dances of the four Provinces on the opening day.
• The 7^th World Hockey Cup is a great historic occasion in the field of sports in Pakistan.
• (Contributed by : Pakistan Hockey Federation).
  
• Issued by: The Director General, Pakistan Post Office, Islamabad. 

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Issued by Pakistan

Issued on Jun 5, 1985

Issued for : Pakistan Post Office is issuing a commemorative postage stamp of the denomination of Re. 1/- to commemorate the victory of Pakistan in the Asian Games, the World Cup and the Olympic Crown.

Designer : Adil Salahuddin

Type : Stamp, Postal Used

Denomination : Re. 1/-

Colours : Green, black, beige & brown

Size of stamp : 60 x 30.50 mm

Size of print : 57 x 27.50 mm

Perforation : 13 C

Quantity : 500,000

Number of stamps in a sheet : 16 (Sixteen)

Process of printing : Litho Offset

Printers : Pakistan Security Printing Corporation

About : 

• It is difficult to pin point the origin of the game of Hockey. Some authors say that its place of birth is Greece, while others say, it started in Asia. This game was brought to the sub-Continent in 1896 by the British Forces. It soon spread out and became very popular. Field Hockey, for the first time, won recognition in 1908 when it was included in the IV Olympics Games held at London. It was in 1928 that Hockey team from this sub-Continent entered in the Olympics held at Amsterdam, Holland. The team gave an excellent performance and won the Gold Medal.
• As an independent state in August 1947, Pakistan‘s Hockey talent, though abundant, was disorganised. Pakistan was placed fourth in the 1948 and 1952 Olympic Games. In the 1956 Olympic Games at Melbourne, Pakistan reached the final for the first time but lost to India by a solitary goal.
• Pakistan finally got the much-needed and well-deserved morale-booster at the Asian Games at Tokyo in 1958 when it won the Gold Medal relegating India to second place on a better goal average. And the crowning achievement came in 1960 when Pakistan won its first Olympic Gold at Rome.
• Pakistan has an enviable record in this game. In the Asian Games since 1958, Pakistan has won six times and lost only once. Out of the 5 World Cup Tournaments, Pakistan lifted the Trophy 3 times and was once placed second. In the Olympic Games, so far, Pakistan has won 3 Gold, 3 Silver and 1 Bronze Medals. In the 6 Champions Trophy Tournaments, held so far, Pakistan has annexed the Trophy twice and was placed second on two occasions.
• GRAND SLAM
  • Munich was avenged at Los Angeles in 1984. The Pakistan Hockey Team, to the great delight of millions of Hockey fans in Pakistan, regained the Olympic Crown after sixteen years. With this victory, Pakistan achieved the rare distinction of winning the Grand Slam as they have captured three major titles i.e. the Asian Games, The World Cup and now the Olympic Crown.
• LOS ANGELES OLYMPICS-1984
  • Pakistan had to fight every inch of the way to the semi-final with fortunes fluctuating with every match. Australia and Holland came to the Tournament as “hot favourites”. They claimed a long list of achievements against the World Cup holders.
  • Pakistan team demonstrated the touch of class which enabled them to beat the formidable Australians in the semi-final. The final between Pakistan and West Germany can be termed as a clash between Asian artistry and European technique. It was a treat to watch our side play with West Germany. From the first whistle of the match to the last each one of its moves was an execution of dazzling stick-work and artistic wizardry. Never before did victory look so good and justifiable as it did at Los Angeles.
  • The victory of Los Angeles should give a great fillip to the game in Pakistan where public interest in Hockey was beginning to ebb prior to the Olympic Games at Los Angeles.
• ASIAN CUP
  • Pakistan retained the Asia Cup Hockey title at Dhaka during January 1985, by defeating a hard-fighting Indian team in extra-time after playing a 1-1 tie in regulation time. Now the immediate target for Pakistan Hockey team is the next Champions Trophy to be held later this year and the World Cup which will be played in England subsequently.
  • Over the years it has become increasingly clear that competition among the hockey-playing nations in the world is becoming tougher than before, and still greater efforts would be required to maintain our position at the top.
• Issued by : The Director General, Pakistan Post Office, Islamabad. 

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Issued by Pakistan

Issued on Jan 31, 1982

Issued for : Pakistan Post Office is issuing two commemorative postage stamps of the denomination of Re. 1/- each to commemorate the victory of Pakistan in the 5^th World Cup Hockey Tournament.

Designer : Adil Salahuddin

Type : Stamps, Postal Used

Denomination : Re. 1 (for both the designs)

Colours : Yellow, blue, red & black

Size of stamps : 35.20 x 50.80 mm

Size of print : 31.20 x 46.80 mm

Perforation : 13 C

Quantity : 2,50,000 (each design) total : 5 lac

No. of Stamps in a sheet : 50 (25 stamps of each design)

Process of printing : Litho Offset

Printers : Pakistan Security Printing Corporation, Karachi

About : 

• The First World Cup Hockey Tournament was held in Barcelona in 1971 on the initiative of Pakistan Hockey Federation. Pakistan Team by virtue of their magnificent performance won the prestigious Cup.
• Pakistan Hockey Team repeated their performance in the 4^th World Cup Hockey Tournament held in Argentina in 1978 when they defeated Holland by 3 goals to 2 in the Final.
• Again in 1981 Pakistan Hockey team participated in the 5^th World Cup Hockey Tournament held in Bombay from 29^th December, 1981 to 12^th January, 1982. Pakistan, West Germany, New Zealand, Spain, Poland, Argentina, Holland, India, Russia, Australia, England and Malaysia took part in this tournament.
• In the opening match against Spain Pakistan won comfortably by 4-1. In their second pool match against New Zealand Pakistan team set a new record for the highest number of goals scored by a team in the World Cup, improving their own record of nine goals against Argentina at Buenos Aires in 1978. Pakistan team won all their pool matches and scored maximum points. The results of the pool matches are as under :– 
  

  	Pakistan	W. Germany	N. Zealand	Spain	Poland	Argentina
  Pakistan	—	5-3	12-3	4-1	4-1	6-1
  W. Germany	3-5	—	2-1	1-1	5-3	2-0
  N. Zealand	3-12	1-2	—	2-0	1-0	3-5
  Spain	1-4	1-1	0-2	—	0-1	4-2
  Poland	1-4	3-5	0-1	1-0	—	2-1
  Argentina	1-6	0-2	5-3	2-4	1-2	—

• In the Finals against West Germany Pakistan won convincingly by 3-1 thus extending their uninterrupted reign to eight years. The margin does not reflect the true character of the victory. Pakistan‘s domination was total and complete barring the first five minutes when the Germans scored the only goal of the match against Pakistan.
• Issued by The Director-General, Pakistan Post Office, Islamabad.

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Issued by India

Issued on Dec 29, 1981

Issued for : Indian P & T Department is privileged to issue a postage stamp to commemorate this event.

Description of Designs : The stamp, designing the logo of Fifth World Cup Hockey, was designed by Charanjit Lal. First day cover shows the Mascot. Cancellation was designed by Charanjit Lal.

Type : Stamp, Postal Used

Colour : Multicolour

Denomination : 100 Paise

Overall size : 3.91 x 2.90 cms.

Printing size : 3.55 x 2.54 cms.

Perforation : 13 x 13

Paper : Unwatermarked adhesive stamp paper

Number printed : 20,00,000

Number per issue sheet : 35

Printing process : Photogravure

Printed at : India Security Press

About : 

• India and Pakistan jointly initiated the move to have a hockey competition at world level outside the Olympic tournament. The International Hockey Federation (FIH) approved the holding of such games and the World Cup Hockey Tournament thus started from 1971.
• Pakistan donated a trophy for this competition. The gold and silver trophy comprises a silver cup, carrying an intricate floral design, surmounted by a globe in silver and gold depicting the world, carrying on top of it a ball and hockey stick, perfect in design and symmetry. The current value of the trophy could be in the region of Rs. 20,00,000.
• Spain hosted the inaugural World Cup Hockey Tournament in Barcelona in 1971. Ten nations qualified for the competition which was spread over ten days (October 15-24). The semi-finals were played in Tarrasa, the birth place of Spanish Hockey. Pakistan emerged as the champions with a one-nil victory over Spain, who beat them 3-2 in a pool match. India won the bronze medal.
• The Second World Cup was held in Amsterdam from August 24 to September 2, 1973. Hosts Holland prevailed over two-up India in the tie-breaker of an exciting final. West Germany beat Pakistan by a solitary goal to finish third.
• India was originally scheduled to host the Third Cup in Bombay in 1975. But the FIH, at its meeting in Cannes (France), decided to shift the venue to Kuala Lumpur. Skipper Ajitpal Singh masterminded a memorable rally for one-down India to triumph over Pakistan by the odd goal of three in a nail-biting final that was a real hockey classic.
• The host nation does not automatically qualify for the World Cup. A concession was made in the case of Argentina and the Fourth World Cup in Buenos Aires in 1977 was enlarged to include fourteen nations. India fared disastrously and finished sixth. Pakistan regained the gold medal. Holland took the silver and Australia the bronze.
• The first nine teams in Buenos Aires automatically qualified for the Fifth World Cup to be staged in Bombay from December 29, 1981 to January 12, 1982. The first three nations in the Inter-Continent Cup, held in Kuala Lumpur earlier in the year, made up the twelve participants. They are the USSR, Malaysia and New Zealand, Olympic Champions in Montreal in 1976.
• The World Cup is now held every four years. The FIH had decided that in future the first six teams in the previous World Cup will automatically qualify for the next competition. The remaining places will be filled by the first six teams in the Inter-Continent Cup.
• The twelve participating nations are split into two pools. The pool matches are played on a league basis. The winners and runners-up of each pool meet in cross playoffs in the semi-finals. The winners battle for the gold; the losers for the bronze. Cross play-offs in groups of four determine the minor placings.
• (Text by courtesy of sponsors).

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