Mir Ranjan Negi - 1982 Asian Games

1982 Asian Games

In the 1982 Asian Games, Negi was the goalkeeper for the India national field hockey team in the final field hockey match against Pakistan. India lost 1-7, which brought "unprecedented humiliation for India in a sporting arena. The nation went into a mourning and Negi into hiding. Negi was accused in some quarters of having conceded those goals." Of the event, journalist Anand Philar stated, "I had covered the 7-1 drubbing Pakistan handed out to India in the 1982 Asian Games final, which turned goalkeeper Negi's life upside down. He was literally pilloried by armchair critics, the media and an ignorant public for letting in so many goals. Some of the tabloids even ran headlines crying out that Pakistan had bribed Negi and that he was a 'traitor.'" In an interview with Philar after the event, Negi stated, "Everywhere I went, I was abused by the public. Nothing matters to me more than playing for my country. I am a proud Indian and will always be so. There were lots of things that happened in the run-up to the final. You find out. I will not speak about the politics that contributed to our defeat." Former captain Zafar Iqbal later stated, "The entire team was to blame; we forwards missed chances, the defence left huge gaps that the Pakistanis exploited. Despite making great efforts to cover the gaps, poor Negi became a sitting duck and the Pakistanis scored at will He was blamed solely, but every player was to blame The atmosphere was vicious. I remember someone claiming that he had seen Negi come out of the Pakistan High Commission on match eve Some even enquired whether Negi, with his first name Mir, was Muslim." Afterwards, he was let go by the Indian Hockey Federation and quit the game for many years.