Len Aiyappa
{{short description|Indian professional field hockey player|bot=PearBOT 5}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2017}}
{{Infobox field hockey player
| name = Len Aiyappa
| fullname = Len Aiyappa Ballachanda Madappa
| image =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1979|03|31|df=yes}}
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| height = {{convert|5|ft|8|in|m|abbr=on}}{{cite web |url= https://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/athens2004/ind/Len+Aiyappa+Ballachandra+Mallappa/9004272 |title= 2004 Olympics Athens: Player's Profile |access-date= 14 January 2017 |archive-date= 6 May 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240506071648/https://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/paris-2024/ |url-status= live }}
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| position = Fullback
| clubs1 = BPCL
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| clubs2 = Air India
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| clubs3 = Telekom Malaysia HC
| years3 = 2005
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| clubs4 = Bangalore Hi-Fliers
| years4 = 2005 - 2008
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| clubs5 = Karnataka Lions
| years5 = 2012 - present
| caps5 = 12
| goals5 = 13
| nationalteam1 = India
| nationalyears1 = ? - 2005
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| updated = 17 January 2013
| medaltemplates-expand = yes
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Len Aiyappa (born 31 March 1979) is an Indian field hockey player. He remained one of India's best drag-flickers until he retired from the national team following a fallout with the Indian Hockey Federation in 2006.{{cite news |title= Hockey: Len gives up on India |url= http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/top-stories/Hockey-Len-gives-up-on-India/articleshow/1406937.cms |work= The Times of India |date= 2006-02-09 |accessdate= 2013-01-17 |archive-date= 22 July 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190722183602/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/top-stories/Hockey-Len-gives-up-on-India/articleshow/1406937.cms |url-status= live }} He last played for India during the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in 2005.{{cite news |url= http://www.indianhockey.com/FeaturedStories/tabid/54/EntryId/25/Jothi-ruined-many-careers-Len.aspx |title= Jothi ruined many careers: Len |publisher= indianhockey.com |date= 2008-04-25 |accessdate= 2013-01-17 |archive-date= 5 July 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110705022122/http://www.indianhockey.com/FeaturedStories/tabid/54/EntryId/25/Jothi-ruined-many-careers-Len.aspx |url-status= live }}
Career
Aiyappa, playing for Karnataka Lions in the inaugural season of the World Series Hockey, became the top scorer for the team and third overall by scoring 13 goals in 12 games.
He joined the team on the insistence of Dhanraj Pillay and the coach of Karnataka Lions, Jude Felix and scored a hat-trick in the game against Chandigarh Comets.{{cite news |title= Did it for my mother: Len Aiyappa |url= http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/hockey/world-series-hockey/Did-it-for-my-mother-Len-Aiyappa/articleshow/12182097.cms |work= The Times of India |date= 2012-03-08 |accessdate= 2013-01-17 |archive-date= 13 March 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120313132132/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/hockey/world-series-hockey/Did-it-for-my-mother-Len-Aiyappa/articleshow/12182097.cms |url-status= live }} He also played for Air India in domestic hockey leagues.{{cite news |title=Len Aiyappa stars in Air India's big win |url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/sport/others/len-aiyappa-stars-in-air-indias-big-win/articleshow/15698992.cms |work=mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com |date=15 April 2007 |access-date=26 January 2024 |location=Mumbai |archive-date=6 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506073300/https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/sport/others/len-aiyappa-stars-in-air-indias-big-win/articleshow/15698992.cms |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=I'm not thinking about India job now, says Len Aiyappa |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/hockey/im-not-thinking-about-india-job-now-says-len-aiyappa/article5422844.ece |work=The Hindu |date=5 December 2013 |access-date=26 January 2024 |location=New Delhi |archive-date=12 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220812124854/https://www.thehindu.com/sport/hockey/im-not-thinking-about-india-job-now-says-len-aiyappa/article5422844.ece |url-status=live }}
He also played a crucial role in Bangalore Hifliers winning the fourth edition of the Premier Hockey League at Chandigarh in 2008. He scored the match winner against Chandigarh Dynamos in the third of the best of three finals as Hifliers won 2-1 to lift the trophy.{{Cite web |date=11 January 2008 |title=Bangalore Hi-Fliers win PHL |url=https://www.rediff.com/sports/2008/jan/11phl.htm |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=www.rediff.com}} He was also part of the Bangalore Lions team which won the second edition in 2006.{{Cite news |date=2008-01-11 |title=Hi-Fliers beat Dynamos 2-1 to win PHL IV |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/hi-fliers-beat-dynamos-2-1-to-win-phl-iv/articleshow/2693644.cms |access-date=2025-03-10 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}
Personal life
He is married.