Gurdial Singh Bhangu, the former chief coach who guided India's women's hockey team to a historic gold medal at the 2002 Commonwealth Games, has died in Surrey, Canada, at the age of 86, Hockey India said in a tribute on Saturday, 7 November.

Source: ANI

"Hockey India mourns the sad demise of the Chief Coach of the 2002 Commonwealth Games Gold Medal-winning Indian Women's Team, Shri Gurdial Singh Bhangu, at the age of 86. His contribution to Indian hockey will always be remembered. Our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones," Hockey India wrote on X. Sportstar reported that Bhangu breathed his last on Friday.

Source: Sportstar (The Hindu)

Bhangu took charge of the Indian women's team in 1998, after the side had finished 12th at the Women's Hockey World Cup. Four years later in Manchester, India beat hosts England 3-2 in the Commonwealth Games final, with Mamta Kharab scoring the golden goal in extra time — the country's first Commonwealth gold in women's hockey. The campaign later inspired the 2007 film Chak De! India.

In 2000, Bhangu became the first hockey coach to receive the Dronacharya Award, Indian sport's highest coaching honour. Born in Lyallpur, now Faisalabad in Pakistan, he joined the National Institute of Sports in Patiala in 1965 and worked under the legendary Dhyan Chand. Between 1972 and 1976 he coached Nigeria's women's team, guiding them to their first Women's Hockey World Cup appearance in 1976.

After retiring, Bhangu had settled in Surrey, Canada, where he passed away. No memorial or tribute match has been announced.