Former India Women’s coach Gurdial Singh Bhangu, who inspired 2002 CWG gold, dies aged 86
Gurdial Singh Bhangu took charge as India’s women’s head coach in 1998 and guided it to silver at the Asian Games that year and gold at the Commonwealth Games in 2002. | Photo Credit: The Hindu Photo Library
Gurdial Singh Bhangu took charge as India’s women’s head coach in 1998 and guided it to silver at the Asian Games that year and gold at the Commonwealth Games in 2002. | Photo Credit: The Hindu Photo Library
Gurdial Singh Bhangu, the former coach of the Indian women’s hockey team that won the 2002 Commonwealth Games, has passed away aged 86.
“His contribution to Indian hockey will always be remembered. Our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones,” Hockey India said in a statement on Saturday.
Bhangu was born in 1941 in Lyallpur — now known as Faisalabad in Pakistan — in pre-independent India. He grew up in Ambala and played university-level hockey before joining the National Institute of Sports (NIS), Patiala, where he was an understudy of hockey legend Dhyan Chand as well as 1956 Olympics gold medallist Balkishan Singh.
Bhangu was also head coach of the Nigerian women’s team from 1972 to 1976, helping it qualify for its first World Cup in 1976.
Mamta Kharab (10) scored the golden goal as India, with Gurdial Singh Bhangu as head coach, won gold at the 2002 Commonwealth Games. | Photo Credit: AFP
Mamta Kharab (10) scored the golden goal as India, with Gurdial Singh Bhangu as head coach, won gold at the 2002 Commonwealth Games. | Photo Credit: AFP
He took charge as India’s women’s head coach in 1998 after the team finished 12th in the World Cup. He inspired the team to an Asian Games silver medal a few months later, only to take the team to larger heights a few years later.
At the Commonwealth Games 2002 final, India beat England 3-2 in Manchester, with Mamta Kharab scoring a golden goal in extra time.
Bhangu was honoured with the Dronacharya Award in 2000, becoming the first hockey coach to receive it. He later moved to Surrey, Canada, and passed away there on Friday.
Published on Nov 07, 2026
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