Victor John Philips (born 1 September 1950) is a retired Indian professional field hockey player. A former captain who played as a halfback, he led the Indian national team during the 1978 World Cup,[1] and was a member of the side that won its 1975 edition. He was also a part of the bronze medal-winning squad at the 1972 Munich Olympics.[2][3] Philips's older brother John Peter represented India at three Olympic Games from 1960 to 1968, winning silver, gold and bronze medals respectively.[4]
About his game, S. Dinakar of The Hindu wrote, "The striking aspects of Philips' game were his speed – he used to practice sprints regularly – and the ability to dribble. Time and again he would leave the defenders in a daze, cutting in dangerously from the right to score or producing defence- splitting crosses. He had his own style of converting penalty strokes, taking a step back, before moving up to push."[3]Mir Ranjan Negi called him "one of the best outside rights India ever produced."[5] In recognition of his contribution to field hockey, Philips was given the award for lifetime achievement by the government of India in 2000.[6]
