Timeline
Mir Ranjan Negi's Life & Career
Birth & Early Life
A Passion for Hockey Begins
- Born in Almora, Uttarakhand, India.
- Developed a love for field hockey at a young age.
- Trained to become a goalkeeper for the Indian national team.
The Controversial Asian Games Final
The Night That Changed Everything
- Represented India as a goalkeeper in the 1982 Asian Games final.
- India suffered a 1-7 loss against Pakistan.
- Faced severe media criticism and false allegations of match-fixing.
- Withdrew from professional hockey due to public pressure.
Comeback as a Coach
Rising from the Ashes
- Made a return to hockey as a goalkeeping coach.
- Contributed to India’s gold medal victory in the 1998 Asian Games (men’s Team).
- Began mentoring young players and rebuilding his reputation.
Historic Commonwealth Games Victory
From Redemption to Glory
- Appointed goalkeeping coach for the Indian Women's Hockey Team.
- Led the team to a historic gold medal at the 2002 Commonwealth Games.
- Proved his coaching excellence and earned national respect.
Assistant Coach for Women's Hockey Team
Shaping the Future of Indian Hockey
- He was also the assistant coach for the Women's team when it won the Gold at the 2004 Hockey Asia Cup.
Inspiration for Chak De! India
Real-Life Hero Behind the Silver Screen
- His life story became the inspiration for Bollywood’s blockbuster movie Chak De! India.
- Worked closely with the filmmakers and Shah Rukh Khan to shape the movie’s hockey sequences.
Reality Show & Entertainment
Dancing Beyond the Field
- Participated in the reality dance show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa (Season 2).
- Reached the semi-finals, showcasing a different side of his personality.
Further Recognition & Film Appearance
Real-Life Hero Behind the Silver Screen
- Appeared in the Garhwali film "Suberau Ghaam" in a minor role.
- Continued to inspire young hockey players through coaching and mentorship.
Mentoring Future Champions
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Former Coach of the Indian Women’s Hockey Team, leading them to several prestigious victories.
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Actively involved in sports development and coaching.
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Also recognized as a motivational speaker, sports commentator, and frequently invited chief guest at national sports events.
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Provides expert commentary for the Hockey India League.
Founder, Abhi Foundation
Mumbai’s Own Chak De
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Abhi Foundation was founded on October 21, 2007 by former Indian goalkeeper Mir Ranjan Negi.
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The foundation is dedicated to coaching underprivileged children in sports like football, hockey, and athletics.
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Inspired by his experience training actors for the film Chak De India, he realized the potential of sports coaching to transform lives.
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The foundation is named after his late son Abhiranjan Negi, a hotel management student and hockey player from Don Bosco, Matunga.
