Dhyan Chand Award for S P Misra

 

Misra’s name was recommended by the selection committee headed by former Indian hockey captain Zafar Iqbal. Along with 73-year-old, the committee also nominated hockey Olympian Romeo James and former volleyball captain T.P.P. Nair. 

 

President of India Pranab Mukherjee will present the award on August 29, the National Sports Day, at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. “It’s been a long time coming,” Misra told this newspaper on Saturday. “It’s a huge honour. It’s extremely gratifying. I’m thankful to my family, friends and well-wishers who have supported me throughout, on and off the court,” Misra said. “It’s very nice of the knowledgeable and high-powered committee to recommend my name,” Misra added. 

 

He recalled the best moments of his career. “Three of them stand out,” Misra said. “Qualifying for the Wimbledon on my very first attempt in 1964, playing the longest match of the tournament at the US National Championships the same year and being a part of the first ever Indian team to reach the final of the Davis Cup (in 1966).”

 

At the US tournament, Misra was involved in a exhausting five-and-a-half hour duel with Chile’s Ernesto Aguirre. After taking the first set 6-4, Misra surrendered the next to 3-6, 5-7. He clawed his way back in a marathon fourth set 11-9 and sealed the match in the decider 14-12. 

 

Misra, along with Ramanathan Krishnan, Premjit Lall and Jaidip Mukerjea, had made history by taking India to their first Davis Cup final in 1966, which they lost 1-4 to Australia. At Wimbledon, Misra, who was playing as a qualifier, lost to Mukerjea 6-1, 1-6, 1-6, 6-2, 4-6 in the second round.