As a tribute to the glorious success of the Indian hockey team in the Fifth Asian Games at Bangkok the Indian Posts and Telegraphs Department is to bring out a special commemorative stamp on the 31st December, 1966.
2. With our victory over Pakistan in the Asian Games at Bangkok on the 19th December, 1966 we have once again displayed to the world our supremacy in this great game of skill, courage, stamina, artistry and team-work. The capacity crowds which witnessed the hockey final at Bangkok were thrilled to watch the wonderful stick work of the Indian team. Our players displayed unmatched skill particularly in short-passing and dribbling. India eventually emerged in a blaze of glory when during the first half of extra time Balbir Singh (Railways) gave a pass to his inside right and receiving it back swooped into the circle and scored a goal through a brilliant angular shot after both the teams had battled for 70 minutes without results.
3. By this resounding victory, India, the Olympic Champions, wrested the Asian hockey championship from Pakistan who won it in 1958 at Tokyo on the basis of the goal average and again at Djakarta four years later. It was in 1928 that India won the hockey title in the Olympics at Amsterdam by defeating Holland. Our latest success is in keeping with the high traditions set by the hockey wizard Dhyan Chand.
4. The Indian victory in hockey at Bangkok has been the result of selfless team-work, great skill, courage, determination and good organisation of which the country is, justly proud.
Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India