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News for 14 November 2019

All the news for Thursday 14 November 2019


Hockey Ireland Announce Indoor team for trip to South Africa

Head coach, David Passmore, has announced the squad which has been selected for the upcoming 6 test matches in Cape Town and Durban in December against South Africa.

    1. Caroline Adams              Ards LHC
    2. Sophie Barnwell             Muckross HC
    3. Amy Benson                    Ards LHC
    4. Chloe Brown Co-Capt    East Grinstead HC, ENG
    5. Naomi Carroll                 Catholic Institute LHC
    6. Orla Fox Co-Capt            Railway Union HC
    7. Erin Getty                         Queens University HC
    8. Tori Hastings                   Queens University HC
    9. Kate McKenna                 Railway Union HC
    10. Jessica McMaster          Queens University HC
    11.Roisin O’Brien                 Glenanne HC
    12. Orla Patton                     UCD LHC
    13. Millie Regan                    East Grinstead HC, ENG
    14. Niamh Small                   Loreto LHC

Schedule:

Wed 4th Dec : Test Match 1 Durban
Thurs 5th Dec : Test Match 2 Durban
Sun 8th Dec : Test Match 3 Cape Town
Mon 9th Dec : Test Match 4 Cape Town
Tues 10th Dec : Test Matches 5 & 6 Cape Town

Irish Hockey Association media release



AHF Hockey 5’s in Malaysia February 2020

By Satwant Dhaliwal

An Asian Level Hockey 5’s event will be organised in Kuala Lumpur in February 2020.

Catering for both boys and girls Under 16, the finer details of the first international event organised by the Asian Hockey Federation is currently being ironed out with the venue hosts.

In revealing this, AHF Vice President ( Special Projects) Dato Majid Manjit Abdullah said that the tournament will be played in grass.

“This is in-line with the wishes of former AHF President HRH Al Sultan Abdullah who feels that Hockey 5’s ought to be return to grass,” said Manjit.

“We have held a discussion with the hosting venue and they are very excited for this to take place.

“We have identified February to hold this tournament with it being played over a four day period.

“And negotiations are in the final stages with potential sponsors as well.”

Manjit added that the AHF Executive Board which is scheduled to meet in Kuala Lumpur this December will be briefed on this tournament.

“At present we are looking at the U16 but we are also exploring the idea to hold an inter club open category as well as a veteran category,” said Manjit who was entrusted by HRH Sultan Abdullah to promote Hockey 5’s in Asia.

“We discusses this with FIH President De. Narinder Bahtra during his audience with Sultan Abdullah in May this year.”

While Malaysia are the reigning Youth Olympic Hockey 5’s gold medallist, domestically there is no known tournament.

“We hope most countries will send teams to participate and in the December meeting we can gauge the response,” added Manjit.

Malaysian Sports



Dream’s gone but Sukri has a vision

By T. AVINESHWARAN


Malaysian captain Sukri Mutalib in action. - Filepic

PETALING JAYA: National hockey captain Sukri Mutalib is a deeply disappointed man. The team’s failure to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics means he will never see Olympics action. Still, he feels that it’s not all doom and gloom.

Sukri said that although players of his generation like S. Kumar, Razie Abd Rahim, Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin Tengku Abdul Jalil and Nabil Fikri Mohd Noor will not be around to play in the Olympics, they still have the honour of being the generation that qualified for the Asia Cup final for the first time and also won two silver medals in the Asian Games.

He said the team were still on the right track for future successes and hoped the next generation would be inspired to do better.

“The Olympics is the dream for any high-performance athletes. I’m disappointed to miss out, but we have to accept the fact that we can’t get everything in life, ” said the 33-year-old, who made his national debut in 2007.

“For me, I see some positives. Our rankings have improved so much. For the first time in 15 years, we are ranked 11th in the world after languishing in the middle since 2004. In 2010 and 2018, my generation qualified for two Asian Games finals.

“We were also the first team in history to qualify for the Asia Cup final in 2017. Even though this generation didn’t qualify for the Olympics, we did create history by qualifying for these finals.

“It was not even achieved by the teams who were in the Olympics. The current crop of players can still be an inspiration for the next generation.”

Malaysia had their best chance to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Games when facing Britain in the two-leg playoffs in London. However, they looked well below par and were soundly beaten 9-3 on aggregate.

Sukri said the players weren’t consistent for 120 minutes and were nervous in front of goal throughout the two-leg affair.

“The players did give their full commitment to the cause by training hard.

“But in a game, you can’t be playing well in the first two quarters, and then drop in the next two. Consistency is something we have to work on if we want to compete against the best.”

Asked what’s needed to improve standards, he said it was time to send players overseas.

“Players should feature overseas, especially in Europe. Leagues there are more systematic and players get to compete week in, week out.

“Or else, our league needs to be improved. If we have a longer season and more clubs participating, we will have a bigger pool for the national team.”

As for his future, Sukri said he hadn’t decided yet as he wishes to focus on his duties as a teacher and coach.

“I’m going to carry on teaching at the Bukit Jalil Sports School. If the team need my services in the future, I will continue playing. It’s always an honour to don the national jersey.”

The Star of Malaysia



RSC junior hockey tourney continues to be platform for players to showcase talent

By RICKY YAP


Oommen Koshy (third from right) presenting the goalkeeping gear and training balls to one of the school recipients. PIC BY RICKY YAP

NOT many know that a premier sports and social club’s hockey section’s initiative launched 13 years ago is now contributing to the development of the game at grassroots level.

And the man behind this is Oommen Koshy, the organising chairman of RSC’s hockey nine-a-side (9s) tournament, held at the Bukit Kiara Annexe in Kuala Lumpur.

Oommen initially mooted the idea for the 9s meet for players aged above 18 in 2001 in a move to scout for talent to form the men and veteran’s teams to take part in the Kuala Lumpur Hockey League.

Then, in 2006, he felt the time was ripe to start a junior tournament for players aged below 12.

Little did he, or anyone else, know then that this junior tournament would go on to carve a reputation as a platform for young players to showcase their talent.

(One standout talent unearthed is Kirandeep Kaur, who played in the RSC junior tournament for SK Bandaraya, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur. She made history last year when she became the youngest player - at the age of 15 - to feature in the Asian Games in Jakarta last year.)

The RSC junior hockey tournament is participated by over 400 players each time.

This year, 24 teams took part in the boys’ category and 16 in the girls’ section.

The teams played six-minute matches in a round-robin format, with the group winners moving on to the knockout phase.

Ultimate Red of Ultimate HT Club won the boys’ title while Family A of Family Hockey Club took top honours in the girls’ section.

Both the Kuala Lumpur teams received medals, Milo hampers and Golden Screen Cinema movie passes.

The teams were not the only recipients of RSC’s generosity as the hockey section last year began donating jerseys, cones and balls to four schools.

This year, four more schools were added to the list of recipients — SK Tengku Zainun in Tampin, Negri Sembilan; SK Kompleks KLIA, Nilai; SK Taman Koperasi Polis, Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur; and SK Bagan Ajam in Butterworth.

Each school received a full set of hockey goalkeeping gear and 120 training balls totalling RM1,500.

Oommen said the schools were selected based on two factors.

‘Apart from their needs, the schools must also be regular participants in the RSC junior tournament,’ Oommen said after a sponsorship presentation ceremony recently.

New Straits Times



Gemma McCaw believes motherhood makes her smarter for Tokyo Olympics bid


Hockey star Gemma McCaw with daughter Charlotte. INSTAGRAM

Gemma McCaw believes motherhood has made her smarter as she works her way back into the international scene.

McCaw and husband, All Blacks great Richie, are the proud parents of Charlotte who is approaching her first birthday in December.

While rugby is off the table for Richie, Gemma is back in the Black Sticks squad and eyeing a place at the Tokyo Olympics next year.

She says he has had to be clever with her juggling act and feels she is making progress in her bid for a fourth Olympics appearance.

"The physical side was tough but I started with small steps and just continued to work when I could. And probably being a mum you just train a little bit smarter," McCaw told Radio Sport.


Gemma McCaw, in action for Midlands, is back in the Black Sticks squad. PHOTOSPORT

"You don't have hours on end, so you have to get in and just do as well as you can. And it gives you that perspective as well."

McCaw said finding the necessary fitness to compete at this level again had been her biggest challenge.

"You're put right back to square one once you have a baby. And you virtually don't have much fitness," she said.


Gemma McCaw's hockey career is taking off again while husband Richie concentrates on business and adventure racing. GETTY IMAGES

"I went from being able to exercise rigorously and train really hard to not being able to do much. And as you know babies need feeding every few hours on that schedule.

"So that was hard and I guess that was the difficult thing to balance was the feeding and the training and the sleeping, and getting all of that into a good routine."

But she feels her new life experience can help her return.

"I've had that experience of motherhood which doesn't ever stop. So that's probably a little bit harder than a game of hockey.".

McCaw, 29, admitted her return had probably surprised even herself.

"A year ago just before having Charlotte I didn't think I'd probably be lining up back in the team. But [I'm] grateful for the opportunity and very excited with the year ahead and what's to come," she told Radio Sport.

She felt there was "unfinished business" with the Black Sticks after finishing fourth in Rio, a repeat of their 2012 London campaign where a breakthrough medal eluded them as well.

"A little tiny part of me felt that there was a little bit of unfinished business – a disappointing way to finish in Rio," McCaw said.

"I felt like I really missed getting out there with the girls and playing the sport that I always loved. I filled in for a club hockey game when Charlotte was four months old and I kind of crossed the line out onto the field and I had that white line fever again.

"That's where it all started."

The Black Sticks also have Kayla Whitelock back in their mix as they ramp up their Olympics campaign.

Stuff



Gemma McCaw opens up on juggling motherhood and the Black Sticks


Gemma McCaw in action for Midlands. Photo / Photosport

Gemma McCaw has opened up about the "challenges" of juggling motherhood and her return to the Black Sticks.

McCaw, who retired from international hockey after having her first child Charlotte with husband Richie, was named in the Black Sticks' squad last week as the team builds towards the 2020 Olympics.

Speaking to Radio Sport's D'Arcy Waldegrave, McCaw said she came out of retirement because she has "unfinished business" with the Black Sticks.

"A little tiny part of me felt that there was a little bit of unfinished business – a disappointing way to finish in Rio," McCaw said.

"I felt like I really missed getting out there with the girls and playing the sport that I always loved. I filled in for a club hockey game when Charlotte was four months old and I kind of crossed the line out onto the field and I had that white line fever again.

"That's where it all started. I was fortunate enough to play NHL and then some time in the Aussie league and that's when I guess I started to get a little bit more serious about it and think 'I would actually love to play again at that high level'.

"A year ago just before having Charlotte I didn't think I'd probably be lining up back in the team. But [I'm] grateful for the opportunity and very excited with the year ahead and what's to come."

McCaw said returning to fitness and training while after being a mother for the first time has been "tough".

"I guess that's probably the biggest challenge that I've had to face so far … you're put right back to square one once you have a baby. And you virtually don't have much fitness.

"I went from being able to exercise rigorously and train really hard to not being able to do much. And as you know babies need feeding every few hours on that schedule. So that was hard and I guess that was the difficult thing to balance was the feeding and the training and the sleeping, and getting all of that into a good routine.

"The physical side was tough but I started with small steps and just continued to work when I could. And probably being a mum you just train a little bit smarter. You don't have hours on end, so you have to get in and just do as well as you can. And it gives you that perspective as well."

While McCaw admits getting back to peak physical condition will take "a little bit of work", she is confident she'll be able to get back to her best.

"I think it's possible. As we see, there's lots of female athletes that have had a baby and come back and often people say a little bit stronger as well.

"I've had that experience of motherhood which doesn't ever stop. So that's probably a little bit harder than a game of hockey."

The New Zealand Herald



Turn the world blue on World Children’s Day



It is a red letter day on 20 November as two international awareness days hit the headlines. Firstly, the prize winners for the Olympic Day competition, which was held in June 2019, will be announced; and, at the same time, the hockey world is invited to embrace and support World Children’s Day.

Hockey communities from around the world responded to the ethos surrounding Olympic Day by organising activities and projects that really demonstrated hockey’s ability to change lives for the better.

Among the various Olympic Day activities were a beach hockey tournament in the Czech Republic, demonstrating that hockey can be played anywhere, on any surface. In Chile, a series of workshops was launched that offered the opportunity to play hockey to youngsters with physical and learning disabilities. Meanwhile, in Zimbabwe, art and hockey combined to raise awareness of the power and beauty of sport through an exhibition of children’s artwork.

Hockey as part of a healthy lifestyle was the theme behind Tonga’s Olympic Day project as a range of hockey activities were put on in primary schools throughout the island communities. And in Afghanistan, hockey was being introduced in several communities as a vehicle for peace.

Now the hockey community is invited to come together to embrace, support and celebrate World Children’s Day on 20 November. To mark this special day, national associations, clubs and individuals can get involved in any number of ways – through activities, tournaments, by launching initiatives or by holding events that raise awareness of the day.

World Children’s Day is a time to recognise that many, many children around the globe do not get to enjoy the things that we take for granted. The awareness day was first initiated by UNICEF in 1954 and it aim remains the same today: to help build a world where every child is in school, safe from harm and can fulfil their potential.

 To this end, the FIH is calling on everyone in the world of hockey participate in World Children’s Day in some way. The motto of the UNICEF campaign is ‘the world is going blue’, so your participation could be as simple as wearing blue clothing while playing hockey.

Other ideas include inviting hockey role models to run coaching session – and ask them to wear blue; or encouraging children to draw their hockey dreams – using blue as the main colour. 

And do share your World Children’s Day activities with the international hockey community. Using the #WorldChildrensDay and tagging @FIH and @UNICEF, post selfies, group pictures, video clips, comments and let’s spread the word. We know sport is a powerful tool for change, so let’s make sure that we do our bit to help make the world a better place for the next generation.

#WorldChildrensDay

FIH site



Surjeet Singh Panesar (Jr), Kenya’s four-time Olympian passes away

by Dil Bahra


 
Surjeet Singh Panesar (Jr),  affectionately known as Sindh, who represented Kenya at four Olympic Games, died in Nairobi, Kenya on Wednesday 6 November 2019 following a short illness. He was aged 81.

Sindh was born on 24 June 1938 in Nairobi, Kenya. His parents had emigrated to Kenya from India in 1919.

He studied at Duke of Gloucester School in Nairobi and went to India for further studies in 1954. He studied at Maharaja Patiala Public School and Patiala University. He played hockey for his school and university teams and during school holidays he played for Mohindra College. Harbail Singh, the legendary Indian Team Coach, who had coached India’s Gold Medal winning teams at Helsinki 1952 and Melbourne 1956 Olympic Games and who was his college coach, took him under his wings and had a big influence in his hockey. He also played football at school and university.

On returning to Kenya in 1957, he joined Sikh Union Nairobi, a Club which his father, Mr Balwant Singh Lalton, a very active sportsman, had a very deep association with – he was one of the founders of Khalsa Club which later became Sikh Union Club.

Sindh represented Sikh Union Nairobi from 1957 to 1980, winning the Ujjager Singh Rai Cup; Kesar Singh Cup; Siri Guru Gobind Singh Cup and Aggarwal Cup in the 1957 – 58 season. He was a member of the Club’s team that won the M R D’Souza Gold Cup for a record thirteen times.

He represented the Asian Sports Association and was a member of the team that won the Kenya Cup in 1958.


Surjeet Junior seated 1st left with Sikh Union Nairobi Team 1970

He was selected to represent Nairobi X1 against England at City Park Stadium, Nairobi on 19 September 1958 and the following year he continued representing Nairobi X1 as a centre forward in the matches against India in Kenya.

He was selected to represent Kenya National team at the East African Championships (Rahim Jivraj Trophy) in Nairobi in May 1960 and earned his first international cap when he played against Uganda on 29 May 1960. Playing as a centre forward, he scored two goals on his debut, in Kenya’s 4 – 0 win and helped his team win the Championship for the second year running.

From that moment he became a regular for the National team, playing as a centre forward and was selected for Rome 1960 Olympic Games. He played in the 3 Test match series against Pakistan in Nairobi on the way to the Olympics.

Following the East African Championships held in Zanzibar in 1962 and retirement of Surjeet Singh Deol (Sr), Sindh took over the pivotal position of centre half and this is the position where he excelled. He played at Tokyo 1964 Olympic Games and started as a centre half at Mexico 1968 Olympic Games. An injury to the left back and captain of the Kenya team after only two matches at Mexico forced Sindh to take up the position of left full back for the rest of these Games.


Surjeet Junior standing 1st left with the Kenyan Team that toured India in April 1964.

On 27 April 1964 this team defeated India 0 – 3 in Jabalpur, this being India’s biggest defeat at that time in 184 internationals. Six months later, India won the Gold at Tokyo Olympics and Kenya finished 6th – her best Olympic Games position.
 
He was selected to represent Kenya at the first Hockey World Cup in Barcelona in 1971 where Kenya reached the semi-finals.

At Munich 1972 Olympic Games, Sindh played as right back.  He retired from playing international hockey after these Games. At the Munich Olympics he became the first player to have played 31 matches, a record he held until 1988 when he was joined by Australia’s Richard Charlesworth. They both held this record until the London Olympic Games. The Rules of Hockey have changed over the years. The Substitutes rule only came into existence in 1972 and now the rolling subs rule is in play.

He was one of three Kenyans to have played at four Olympic Games - Alu Mendonca and Avtar Singh Sohal being the others.


Surjeet Junior, standing 4th from left, with the Kenya Team at the 1st World Cup in Barcelona, Spain in 1971. Kenya finished fourth.

TRIBUTES

Avtar Singh Sohal (Tari), Kenya’s captain from 1962 - 1972 said “We were both very close friends and played together for many years for Sikh Union Club and for Kenya and both of us  groomed many youngsters for the  club. We were one in hockey and I will personally miss him as my very good friend and great hockey colleague. Condolences to our dear family.”

Surjit Singh Rihal, Kenya’s captain from 1973 – 81 paid this tribute “It was an honour to have played along with a great legend who inspired a lot of youngsters, including me, with his graceful stick work in Kenya to play and love hockey. I admired and learned his style of scooping the ball. In 1969 l came back to Kenya after studying in India and joined the famous Sikh Union Club Nairobi so that l could play along with him. I took his position as centre half and he moved to right back position. Playing here at Sikh Union gave me a chance to learn more from his knowledge of hockey. We then played together for Sikh Union and Kenya in the 1971 World Cup and 1972 Munich Olympic Games. I admire him for his love for sports especially hockey and the respect he showed to all, both young and old people. I met him for the last time last year here in London along with many other Sikh Union players who had played together in the World Cup and Olympic Games with him. We will miss him but he will stay in the hearts of everyone.”
 
Raphael Fernandes, former Kenyan Olympian who now lives in Canada paid this tribute “Sindh was an Officer & a Gentleman – very soft spoken - and a Handsome Personality with a dynamic International Etiquette and a Stylish Dress code! He was always the main attraction on the field – as he portrayed his Love / Discipline / Respect for the sport – with his Mastery / Brilliance / Skill / Experience / Expertise & Sportsmanship! He was my mentor and he always referred to me as “My Son” who has the longest strides with exhibition stick-work – but in reality I learned all the Golden Rules from the Master himself - and always tried to portray him!”

Davinder Singh Deegan, former Kenyan Olympian said “When I joined Sikh Union Club in 1965, Sindhi was the one who used to encourage me all the time. He was my pillar of strength when I started playing for Kenya. We played for Sikh Union and Kenya from 1965 to 1978. Throughout this time we were very close. He was a very honest and helpful gentleman should go out of his way to help anyone. We were roommates on many occasions on our tours and he was a fantastic roommate. He was a unique player who could play in any position.”
Cyprian Fernandes, journalist and author, who now lives in Australia, paid this tribute “When I saw Junior player for the first time, at centre-half for the Sikh Union I was like a stunned mullet. I had watched the visiting Indian, Pakistani and other visiting teams but I had never seen anyone take total command of a game as the supremo Junior did. He played hockey like he was weaving with a pair of knitting needles - he weaved between players, around players, found tiny crevasses in a closely packed defensive line and a flicked pass to the right or left or straight through the middle, especially to the right to Hilary Fernandes, and the move breached the defensive wall and Kenya was once again close to the D and poised dangerously for a goal. The very famous Hardial Singh once told me that the players were the ones that bent over and played close to the ground and yet had the ability to spring and watch what was happening in front of them or on either side. Junior was close to the ground, very close to the ground. I always marvelled at watching Junior in action.”
 
Ajmal Malik, former Kenyan Olympian, now residing in Islamabad, Pakistan said “Sindh was not only a great hockey player, but also a great colleague and friend. He was always there to help and provide guidance and advice on improving your hockey skills. During overseas tours he was always concerned about the well-being of his fellow players. He was a thorough gentleman with subtle sense of humour which always kept our spirits high.”
 
Hilary Fernandes former Kenyan Olympian, now residing in Toronto, Canada said “We were team mates in the Kenya National team for almost 13 years, representing the Country in almost all the matches that Kenya played during this period, at home and abroad. We played three Olympic Games together. What a pleasure it was playing alongside a very talented and gifted young hockey player. He made life easy for all of us on the field with his support and encouragement. He was capable of playing in any position if called upon, but was a star when he played in his preferred position as centre-half. He was in the driver’s seat and feared no opposition. I also had the privilege and pleasure of playing with him from 1965 – 1969 for one of the best hockey teams in the country – Sikh Union Club Nairobi. He was a well-groomed guy who wouldn’t take any nonsense from anyone when he was on the field, he was in command and full of confidence.”
 
Silu Fernandes, former Kenyan Olympian, now residing in Toronto, Canada had this to say: “My friend and team mate Surjeet Jr. dazzled the world of hockey, both on and off the field at the Olympics in Rome, Tokyo, Mexico City and Munich and Test matches in India, Pakistan and at home in Kenya. Showmanship and style were the undiluted essence of his life on and off the field and puts him right up there on the ranking of the world’s top sportsmen ...most certainly on mine ! Our team mates, here in Toronto, Hillary, Raphael and Leo Fernandes, Norman da Costa and I were very fortunate to meet up with the Maestro during his short visit in April of last year.”

Amarjeet Singh Marwa, former Kenyan Olympian said “I joined Sikh Union & the Kenya National Hockey teams in 1965 & met Surjeet for the first time. I was immediately captivated by his dedication, fitness & skill. He was a master class playmaker & during my playing career at Sikh Union, we lost only one game out of hundreds we played, sweeping all the tournaments, thanks to Surjeet & Avtar's help in defence.  It was the same with the National team in World Cups & Olympic Games. Surjeet was our guiding light for the young players & he was always helpful on & off the field. I am greatly honoured to have played with him. In the summer of 2018 in London, I, with some of my Olympic colleagues, had the opportunity of meeting him for the last time when we talked about our hockey conquests! We all will miss him greatly.”
 
Harvinder Singh Sibia, former Kenyan Olympian, now residing in the UK said “Surjeet Panesar - An amazing player with captivating skills, immense technical know - how with a gentle and polite demeanour to all those who came into contact with him. I had the opportunity to play alongside him and found his tips and encouragement very illuminating.  A great player who stood among the best in the world.”

Jack Simonian, former Kenyan Olympian, now residing in the UK paid this tribute: “Sindhi, as he was popularly known, was a good friend of mine throughout my long period at Sikh / Simba Union in Nairobi. I am proud to describe him as a well-meaning character who would never have a negative word to say about anyone!  "Rare at any time". At Hockey, he was a "Gentle Wizard" with his stick work and distribution of the ball to penetrative movements. He really understood the meaning of "The Craft of Hockey" by listening to people like our Mahan Singh and others from India who were on hand to advise in his maturing ages. To have listened and accepted the advice given shows, in my opinion, "Humbleness". I am proud to have known him and will miss his presence.”
 
Edgar Fernandes, former Kenyan Olympian, now residing in Melbourne, Australia paid this tribute: “Sindhi as he was affectionately known, was in my opinion, the greatest centre-half of his era, in the world. He was a player of great distinction, dedicated, determined, and it was a pleasure to play with him in my time, including the Rome and Tokyo Olympics. But as a person he exuded an air of confidence, was always impeccably dressed, had a great sense of humour, very friendly, courteous, and extremely helpful. He will always be remembered for not only his exceptional ability in Hockey but also his outstanding personality. He was one of the greatest hockey players of Kenya.”
 
Norman Dacosta, former hockey correspondent of Daily Nation (Kenya), now residing in Canada, had this to say: “Sindhi was a field hockey icon and I had the unique opportunity of playing against him for the Railway Goan Institute and also reporting on, who in my opinion was one of the greatest centre-halves of his era that included some extraordinary Indians and Pakistanis. Off the field he was a dapper individual with a sense of good clothing and an immaculate beard and turban. I was fortunate enough to meet Surjeet in Toronto and later in Nairobi in 2018 and visit his beautiful home that he designed. And his garden was something to behold. Apart from his exploits on the field, Surjeet was a great cook and his chicken koroga was out of this world.”

Sikhs in Hockey

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