News for 17 November 2016
All the news for Thursday 17 November 2016
Black Sticks women hammered by Australia to open trans-Tasman series
Black Stick Olivia Merry dives for the ball during the trans-Tasman women's hockey test in Auckland. PHOTOSPORT
A new-look New Zealand women's hockey team have been thrashed 6-0 by Australia in the opening match of the trans-Tasman series in Auckland.
Featuring just seven of the squad who finished fourth at the Rio Olympics, with nine players resting, retired, injured or playing in Europe, the Black Sticks were comprehensively outplayed by a dominant Hockeyroos side in changeable conditions at Lloyd Elsmore Park.
If the scoreline wasn't evidence enough of the control Australia had through almost the entire contest, the penalty corner count added significant weight, the visitors winning 12 set-piece opportunities to the Kiwis two.
New Zealand's Kelsey Smith tries to block a pass from Georgia Nanscawen during the test in Auckland. PHOTOSPORT
The Hockeyroos started as they meant to continue, winning the first penalty corner of the match in the fifth minute and two more in quick succession, only sloppy execution and scrambling New Zealand defence keeping the ball out of the net.
The Black Sticks slowly found their feet as the quarter wore on, creating several circle penetrations and managing to apply pressure on the Hockeyroos defence.
But Australia were still doing that as well, earning their fourth penalty corner in the 11th minute and deflecting the chance just wide as the whistle came for quartertime.
In the first minute of the second stanza the tourists opened the scoring, making New Zealand pay for mis-trapping their opening corner by breaking quickly and allowing Kathryn Slattery to set-up Kalindi Commerford for a goal on senior international debut.
The Kiwis couldn't convert their first real chance moments later when experienced striker Olivia Merry swiped over the top of the ball after quality build-up play from youngster Kelsey Smith.
New Zealand, though, were finding it difficult to regularly penetrate a tight Australian defence and it was the Hockeyroos who continued to look dangerous, particularly on the counter, as they took their one-goal buffer to the main break.
The theme of Australian control was immediately evident early in the third quarter and just three minutes after the resumption they deservedly doubled their advantage.
The second also came from a Kiwi turnover in the opposition half, the visitors swiftly turning defence into attack as Slattery was put clear to expertly flick over sliding Kiwi keeper Amelia Gibson.
A brief but strong rainstorm couldn't slow the Hockeyroos down, either, the New Zealand defence constantly kept on their toes as the Australian corner count rose into double figures.
There was little surprise, then, as they banged in two more goals to finish the quarter, Georgina Morgan and Georgia Nascawen both converting at set-piece time to make it 4-0.
Ashlea Fey joined the scoring action a few minutes into the final period, also from a corner, and after a few rare moments of Kiwi attack, Slattery put in Australia's sixth with another deft bit of skill.
One of three Black Sticks debutants, Felicity Reidy couldn't capitalise on strong work from Michalea Curtis to put away a good chance to salvage a late consolation goal for her side in the 59th minute.
However, it was irrelevant in the final wash-up, the Hockeyroos convincingly securing revenge for their 4-2 loss to New Zealand in the quarterfinals of the Rio Games.
Stuff
Sabah go thorough to prepare for Under-14 hockey title defence
by Aftar Singh
KUALA LUMPUR: Sabah are hell-bent on retaining the boys’ title in the MHC-1MAS-Milo National Under-14 hockey tournament, which begins at the Kuala Lumpur Hockey Stadium on Saturday.
Not only have they been training for the tournament since early this year, they even went on a playing tour of Perak last month and retained six players from last year’s squad.
The six are goalkeeper Hamidi Jamaluddin; defenders Amza Masri, Yehzekoveen Rinol and Azmeer Shah; and midfielders Azril Peter and Muhammad Salman.
They also checked into KL a week ago to play friendlies against Under-16 teams from the Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI), Mutiara Sports School of Penang and Selangor Sports School.
They are now in Malacca to play another friendly.
Despite their thorough preparation, Sabah coach Hasrul Jideh has only set his boys a top-four target.
“We don’t want to put pressure on the players. We want them to enjoy the game and play well in every match.
“We are well-prepared as we’ve been training for almost a year now,” said Hasrul, who guided Sabah to their first title in Malacca last year.
Fifteen teams will feature in the boys’ competition and Sabah are in Group A with Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Perlis and Kelantan.
Group B has Perak, Pahang, Sarawak, Kedah and Penang while Group C comprises Johor, Malacca, Singapore, Terengganu and Negri Sembilan.
Hasrul expects a strong challenge from former champions KL, Perak, Johor and Pahang.
The girls’ competition will see 12 teams battling for honours, with defending champions KL drawn in Group A Kedah, Malacca and Perak.
Group B comprises Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Pahang and Penang while Group C has Singapore, Kelantan, Sarawak and Johor.
The final is on Nov 26.
The Star of Malaysia
Gurbaj Singh hits jackpot in Hockey India League auction
Gurbaj Singh has been kept out of the India team for disciplinary reasons. (Getty Images)
He may be out of the national reckoning for more than a year now because of disciplinary issues, but experienced midfielder Gurbaj Singh turned out to be the most sough-after player in the closed bid for Hockey India League 2017, fetching the most expensive buy tag.
First to go in the bid, Gurbaj was bought by 2015 champions Ranchi Rays for a whopping $99,000 (Rs 67.2 lakh).
A live-wire in the right flank, Gurbaj was suspended for nine months by Hockey India in August 2015 on charges of indulging in groupism and creating disharmony within the team during the Hockey World League Semifinals in Antwerp, Belgium.
Among the foreign players, German forward Christopher Ruhr was the costliest buy as he was bought by Ranchi Rays for $75,000 (Rs 50 lakh).
Other notable bids were for Tom Craig (Kalinga Lancers), Robert van der Horst (Jaypee Punjab Warriors) and Seve Van Ass (Uttar Pradesh Wizards).
Many franchises put faith on young players also with 18-year-old defender Hardik Singh being the most expensive of the lot, picked by Jaypee Punjab Warriors for $39,000 (Rs 26.5 lakh).
Other notable buys among youngsters were Shamsher Singh and Ajay Yadav, both of whom were picked up by Uttar Pradesh Wizards, while India’s U-17 Asia Cup winning captain Nilam Sanjeep Xess went to Kalinga Lancers.
In the closed bid process, six franchises participating in HIL 2017 -- Dabang Mumbai, Delhi Waveriders, Jaypee Punjab Warriors, Kalinga Lancers, Ranchi Rays and Uttar Pradesh Wizards -- picked up their players to complete their teams for the next season’s event.
‘Larger purse’
According to the rules, all teams operated with a $725,000 (Rs 4.9 cr) cap on the purse. Having retained their squad for a significantly lesser amount, Ranchi Rays and Jaypee Punjab Warriors had a larger purse available for the bidding process.
Among other notable players available in the closed bid were Indian goalkeeper Sushant Tirkey, Netherlands internationals Jaap Stockmann, Mink van der Weerden and Olympic Gold medallist Lucas Rossi of Argentina.
Talking about the auction process, newly-elected International Hockey Federation president and chairman of HIL Narinder Batra said, “I would first like to emphasise the importance of the HIL in contributing to Indian hockey’s rise in the rankings.
“The professionalism of the league is commendable and all credit for this must go to the franchises themselves, who have conducted their work in a manner that is source of inspiration for world hockey. In regard to the closed bid, I’m happy to see that keeping with the trend, even this year, the process has been more rewarding to the players, and the teams have consistently looked to bid way higher than their base prices.
“It goes to show how valuable and talented each of the players are, and subsequently how tightly contested and closely-knit the league is now,” he said.
Hindustan Times
Great Britain Women honoured by ANOC
Hollie Webb receives the ANOC 2016 Women'e Team of the Year award
The Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) General Assembly is underway and as part of the two-day event the ANOC presented their 2016 awards. The Great Britain Women’s Hockey Team were one of the evening’s winners, collecting the Women’s Team of the Year Award following their dramatic gold medal success in Rio.
Perhaps fittingly, defender Hollie Webb, scorer of the winner in the shootout was out in Doha to collect the award on behalf of her team at the ceremony celebrating and honouring the best sporting achievements from the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Team GB’s women’s hockey team secured its first ever Olympic gold after a shootout victory over defending champions The Netherlands. The team won all eight of their matches at Rio 2016.
Webb on receiving the award said: “It is an honour to be in the company of so many inspiring people at the ANOC Gala Awards and Team GB’s women’s hockey team are thrilled to be the recipients of the ANOC Women’s Team of the Year Award.”
“It has been an unbelievable year for us, returning home from Rio as Olympic champions and the first ever GB women’s hockey team to win Olympic gold was an amazing feeling and an achievement we are all incredibly proud of.”
As well as the Women’s Team of the Year prize for the hockey team, The British Olympic Association (BOA) were also rewarded for their best ever medal haul, picking up the Most Successful National Olympic Committee of the Year.
Team GB returned home from Rio with 67 medals, its best ever at an Olympic Games on foreign soil, and a second place finish in the medal table. The team made history in Brazil by becoming the first NOC to win more medals at the Games immediately after hosting following a haul of 65 medals at London 2012.
Bill Sweeney, CEO of the BOA said: “It’s a fantastic achievement for both the women’s hockey team and the whole of the British Olympic Association. We’ve had an incredible year, returning home from Rio with 67 medals and a second place finish in the table and to cap it all off being awarded the number one NOC in the world here at the ANOC Awards. It has been a terrific effort from everyone involved.”
England Hockey Board Media release
Nicola White granted the freedom of the Borough of Oldham
Nicola White Freewoman of Oldham
Nicola White is no ordinary 28 year old. She has a wealth of hockey accolades to her name: European Gold, Commonwealth Silver, Olympic Bronze but most recently the pinnacle in any athlete's career an Olympic Gold medal.
Manchester born White scored that all-important third goal in the Olympic Final to take the game to a shoot out against the reigning champions Netherlands where Great Britain's women made history winning their first-ever hockey gold.
Three months have passed since that magical Friday night where 9 million people were glued to their TV sets to cheer our girls to gold. Since then Nicola has been busy inspiring the nation, most specifically in her home town, Oldham.
“It has been an absolute whirlwind and the impact of our achievement has been huge, more than I ever thought possible for our sport. Everyone is talking about hockey and so it is important we use this time to inspire, which is what I have mainly been trying to do." she adds "So far I have done a variety of appearances from awards evenings, coaching, meet and greets but the best part of my time has been visiting over 20 schools in the Oldham area. It has been so humbling to give back to my hometown. I’ve met some amazing and talented kids who constantly tell me they want to be an Olympic champion, so it’s music to my ears!”
Nicola was also awarded honoury ‘Freewomen of the Borough of Oldham’ earlier on this month which took her by great surprise:
“This was so unexpected and I feel privileged to have been awarded the honour. Oldham have always supported me throughout my journey and so to receive this made me feel really proud. It's another moment shared with my friends and family. I will continue to do my best and give back by inspiring the people of Oldham to achieve their dreams too.”
Every athlete has to start somewhere and for Nicola it was picking up a stick for the first time, aged 7 and playing at school, Hulme Grammar in Oldham.
“I absolutely loved my P.E. lessons and was part of every single team going, but I really did love hockey right from the word go. Apart from hockey, I often competed in swimming, athletics and cross-country for Oldham during my time at school. My other talent was music and I started playing the piano at 7 years old which I managed to keep going and still have a tinkle on now and again!”
Nic White school visit
“The main thing I love about hockey is it’s a team sport. It is such a good feeling when you step on that pitch with your teammates and to win with them makes me feel so proud. I get a massive buzz from trying to eliminate people with skills and it’s a fast game physically and mentally so I love the challenge."
“You should definitely give hockey a go if you haven’t yet. You will find it so sociable and you can find the perfect club for you, whether it’s large, small, lots of youth teams, elite leagues, the choices are there and it becomes like a family. It is also a great way to keep fit as its more interactive and dynamic than just running on a treadmill!"
Nicola’s top tip for any young aspiring player is to believe in yourself.
“If you want to make it all the way to the top, make it happen and don’t let anyone stop you! Make sure you are learning everyday by listening to peers and coaches around you. Use their feedback to your advantage and keep setting yourself new challenges to achieve every so often.”
England Hockey Board Media release
Big success for hockey’s award winners
Susan McDowall Award
It has been an excellent week for hockey with Susan McDowall, Sarah Wilson and Martin Madden winning prestigious awards. Susan McDowall was voted Scottish Women in Sport SSE People’s Champion; Sarah Wilson was awarded the Scottish Women in Sport Official of the Year; and Martin Madden won Sports Council for Glasgow Official of the Year.
Scottish Women in Sport (SWiS), in Association with SSE, held their third annual Gala Awards & Fundraising Dinner on Friday 11th November in the GoGlasgow Hotel, Glasgow. The event was staged to celebrate, recognise and reward the achievements of female athletes and the respective support staff/volunteers.
The SSE Peoples Champion Award was decided by a public vote and was won by Susan McDowell. Former hockey internationalist Susan's passion for hockey is as strong now as it was in her playing days and in the three years she has held the post of team manager for Scotland’s U18 girls’ team, the team has enjoyed terrific success.
Susan is fantastically popular with players and staff alike and her recognition as People’s Champion is a great achievement, and it is one that’s well-deserved.
Susan said: “I had no idea that I had been nominated for the award by Nicola Robertson and Helen McNaught until I was contacted and told I was shortlisted as one of four nominees. To then actually win was overwhelming and an honour. It's pretty special to receive an award for doing a voluntary job that I am so passionate about. I have had many fantastic years being involved in hockey and it's great to give something back. To be involved in a pathway programme and see end results as part of that programme is very worthwhile and satisfying. I love being part of the hockey family in Scotland. So many fantastic memories - I could write a book!”
Also successful at the SWiS awards was umpire Sarah Wilson who won the Official of the Year award. Sarah has had a very successful 2015 and 2016. A former international age group player, she became an umpire after sustaining an injury, and has since moved on to be one of the world’s leading umpires.
In 2015 she umpired the finals of the Women's EuroHockey Nations Championship in London and later that year received her appointment to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.
Sarah is one of the youngest umpires to be appointed to the Olympics and was the only female umpire to represent Great Britain in Rio. Sarah’s Olympics culminated in her umpiring the Bronze Medal Match - the highest level that she could reach as Great Britain were competing in the Gold Medal Match.
Sarah’s success is testament to the time and dedication she has shown the sport and her award-winning success is well-earned.
Martin Madden and Sarah Wilson
Finally, umpire Martin Madden won the Sports Council for Glasgow Official of the Year award. The ceremony was held at the City Chambers in Glasgow on 14 November. Martin has had a phenomenally successful year during which he became the 39th man to receive a FIH Golden Whistle for umpiring 100 senior international matches. Martin reached the milestone while umpiring at the Rio Olympic Games, with Netherlands v India as his 100th match umpiring senior internationals.
Martin became an international umpire in 2000, and reached grade 1 two years later. He umpired the Hockey Champions Trophy in 2012, became a World Panel umpire in 2014, umpired at the 2014 World Cup in the Hague, and was one of the 17 men in the umpiring team for the men’s Olympic event in Rio. Martin’s Rio experience came to a climax with him umpiring the bronze medal match between Netherlands and Germany. Martin said, “It’s a huge honour to be awarded Official of the Year. It’s been a fantastic year and to be honoured with an award at the end of it is brilliant. I’m delighted.”
Scottish Hockey would like to congratulate Susan, Sarah and Martin on their tremendous success and achievements.
Scottish Hockey Union media release
We are proud!
The EHF would like to congratulate 4 members of our European hockey family who received special awards during the FIH Congress last week:
President of Honour – Leandro Negre
Outgoing FIH President Leandro Negre, from Spain, was awarded the title of President of Honour for his passionate dedication to the sport. In addition to serving as President for eight years, Leandro has dedicated a huge part of his life to the sport, from playing international hockey (as a goalkeeper) for Spain in the 1968 Mexico Olympic Games to working on the organising committee for the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Leandro served as President of the Spanish Hockey Federation (RFEH) from 1984 to 1992 and later became President of the European Hockey Federation (EHF) from 2003 – 2008. During his eight years at the helm of the FIH, Leandro has been the driving force behind the innovative changes in structure and approach to hockey – particularly the first stage of the Hockey Revolution – that has seen the sport’s dramatic growth in participants and spectators across the globe. It is fitting that Leandro should be awarded this Honour.
(Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images)
Order of Merit – Martin Gotheridge
Martin, a lawyer by profession has been at the forefront of professionalising our sport especially working in the background on our Regulations and our Statutes. A longtime member of the EHF Competitions Committee he was elected to the EHF Board in 1993, he served as an Ordinary member, a Vice President and was President from 2008 until his retirement in 2011. His honorary service to improving the governance of our sport is second to none and this service has earned him the Order of Merit of the FIH.
Martin Gotheridge recieves the Order of Merit from Leandro Negre at the Hockey Revolution Part 2 No Limits Ball on November 11, 2016 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images)
Guust Lathouwers Memorial Trophy – Ray O Connor
Ray O’Connor of the Irish Hockey Association has been an international Umpire – earning his golden whistle for 100 international matches in 2000 – an Umpire Manager, a mentor to up-and-coming officials, a member of the FIH Umpiring Committee and is currently Chair of the European Hockey Federation (EHF) Appointments Committee.During his years of involvement with hockey at the highest level, Ray has been responsible for some ground-breaking work, including the Road To Projects, which first began with the Road to London 2012. He was also a leading light behind the development of the EHF Umpire Development Panel (UDP), considered one of the most important umpiring projects at continental level. Ray is a man driven by process and delivering fair and transparent appointments in the EHF. His tireless work as an administrator was only equalled by how he prepared for the 2 Olympic Finals that he was honoured to whistle. This award honours not only Ray’s achievements on the field, but the immense work he does for hockey off the field.
Ray O'Connor recieves the Guust Lathouwers Memorial Trophy from Ermano Silvano at the Hockey Revolution Part 2 No Limits Ball on November 11, 2016 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images)
Etienne Glichitch Award – Norman Hughes
Norman Hughes has been Continental Development Officer (CDO) and now Education and Development Manager of the European Hockey Federation since 2002. Prior to that he was a player and coach for England and Great Britain. He is an Olympic Medalist, with a Bronze medal with GB from the Games in Los Angeles in 1984. Throughout his work with EHF, Norman has been a key player in the design and delivery of coaching courses, including Top Coaches and Coaches 4 Europe programmes. He is responsible for the Development and Education programmes for the EHF. Since 2002 more than 600 coaches, umpires and officials have benefited from his work. Norman also plays a key role in the European Youth Leaders Programme and spearheaded the inclusion of ParaHockey at the EuroHockey Championships. His passion, his spirt, his empathy for all our members and his can-do attitude all contribute to who Norman is and why this Award is so fitting.
Norman Hughes recieves the Etienne Glichitch Award from Marijke Fleuren at the Hockey Revolution Part 2 No Limits Ball on November 11, 2016 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images)
EuroHockey media release
The Hockey Paper has now launched!
The Hockey Paper
The Hockey Paper has now launched, marking a vey exciting step forward for hockey in England!
This weekly publication has now hit the shops, priced at £1.50 and available at newsagents and supermarkets in both England and Wales. With 32 pages, it's the first dedicated newspaper to hockey, covering the Men's and Women's Premier Divisions, with extensive round-ups of the six conferences.
They will also report on hockey action throughout Europe and the wider world along with big interviews with star players, special features on grass roots, universities and schools.
The publication is led by Greenways Publishing, who also produce The Golf Paper, The Rugby Paper, The Football League Paper and many more besides. Although it is not officially affiliated to England or GB Hockey, we are excited to see the paper launch and look forward to helping it thrive for the good of our sport.
Fronted by former Telegraph correspondent Rod Gilmour, The Hockey Paper will feature renowned columnists such as Simon Mason, Nick Irvine, Beckie Middleton and Todd Williams.
Editor-in-chief David Emery said: "This is a thrilling time for hockey fans in the UK after the success in the Rio Olympics. We believe The Hockey Paper can tap into that interest and reflect the ever-growing status of the game."
Subscribe online: http://www.thehockeypaper.co.uk/subscriptions/pay-online/
Digital edition: click here
Follow on Twitter: twitter.com/TheHockeyPaper
Like on Facebook: facebook.com/thehockeypaper
If you don't see it near to you, make sure you ask your local newsagent and they will be able to source it for you.
England Hockey Board Media release
Voting for 2016 Hockey Stars Awards open
Voting is now open for this year’s International Hockey Federation (FIH) Hockey Stars Awards, the annual prizes recognising the best athletes, coaches and umpires in a given calendar year.
Hockey fans are being urged to vote for their hockey heroes now via FIH.ch, with voting closing at midnight (Central European Time) on Friday 2 December 2016.
The men’s and women’s Player, Goalkeeper and Rising Star Award winners will be decided by the combined results of an online public vote and a peer vote from international athletes; the Coach of the Year awards by a peer vote and the 2016 Umpiring Awards by the FIH Umpiring Committee.
Five male and five female nominees have been shortlisted for each of the Player, Goalkeeper and Rising Star awards, whilst three coaches from each gender have been nominated for the 2016 Hockey Stars Coach of the Year awards.
The Player, Goalkeeper and Rising Star awards were selected by a panel consisting of the FIH Athletes' Committee, Continental Federation Presidents, top international coaches and FIH media personnel and staff. The shortlists were compiled based on athletes’ performances at international events during the 2016 season, as well as their overall contribution to the sport. Shortlisted nominees are presented in no particular order as follows:
2016 Player of the Year nominations
Women: Carla Rebecchi (ARG); Kate Richardson-Walsh (GBR); Stacey Michelsen (NZL); Alex Danson (GBR); Naomi van As (NED).
Men: Gonzalo Peillat (ARG); John-John Dohmen (BEL); Moritz Fürste (GER); Tobias Hauke (GER); Pedro Ibarra (ARG).
2016 Goalkeeper of the Year nominations
Women: Maddie Hinch (GBR); Joyce Sombroek (NED); Kristina Reynolds (GER); Jackie Briggs (USA); Belen Succi (ARG).
Men: Juan Vivaldi (ARG); Jaap Stockmann (NED); Vincent Vanasch (BEL); David Harte (IRL); Parattu Raveendran Sreejesh (IND)
2016 Rising Star of the Year nominations (Players 23 and under)
Women: Maria Granatto (ARG); Lily Owsley (GBR); Nike Lorenz (GER); Kathryn Slattery (AUS); Florencia Habif (ARG).
Men: Arthur van Doren (BEL); Christopher Rühr (GER); Jorrit Croon (NED); Harmanpreet Singh (IND); Timm Herzbruch (GER).
2016 Coach of the Year nominations
Women: Alyson Annan (Team: NED); Karen Brown (Team: GBR); Janneke Schopman (Team: USA).
Men: Carlos Retegui (Team: ARG); Danny Kerry (Team: GBR); Shane McLeod (Team: BEL).
For more information about this year’s Hockey Stars, visit FIH.ch.
#HockeyStars2016
FIH site
Hockey India ‘backs’ Mukesh
V.V. Subrahmanyam
Triple Olympian N. Mukesh Kumar and Secretary of Telangana Hockey said the national hockey federation, Hockey India, has expressed solidarity with his group of office-bearers in the State body and that it is the only one which can run the sport officially in the newly-formed State.
“I spoke to Mr. Batra (Mr. Narendra Batra, secretary-general of the HI) and informed him about the Olympic Association of Telangana granting affiliation to the group (headed by former hockey player Bheem Singh). But he categorically said there was no question of recognising any body other than mine in the State as far as Hockey India is concerned,” Mr. Mukesh explained.
The OAT at its recent meeting decided to recognise the other group as it felt the Telangana Hockey had not submitted the relevant documents. “Mr. Batra expressed satisfaction with the functioning of Telangana Hockey as it sent State teams for four Nationals besides hosting inter-district tournaments,” Mr. Mukesh said. “Telangana Hockey which is the official body which will take care of the hockey fraternity in the State and all its activities are under the guidance of Hockey India affiliated to the FIH,” he explained.
The Hindu
Sir Mota Singh QC (1930 - 2016)
by Dil Bahra
Sikh Union Nairobi 1963. Sir Mota Singh, President, sitting 3rd from left.
Tributes have been pouring in about this great gentleman and SikhsinHockey.com would like to share some of his hockey contributions.
Whilst he was a top class cricketer, he also played hockey. He was a member of the famous Sikh Union Nairobi Club and was the Club's President when they won the M R D' Souza Gold Cup in 1963. In the above photo, are some of Kenya's legendary hockey Olympians like Avtar Singh Sohal, Jack Simonian and Gursaran Singh Sehmi to name a few.
Dr Joginder Singh Dhillon, who represented Kenya at hockey at the Melbourne 1956 Olympic Games said "After passing the Bar final examination at Lincoln's Inn in London in 1955, Mota returned to Kenya in 1956 and started own practice in Nairobi as a brilliant advocate!
It was then, I had the honour to play hockey along with this equally brilliant sportsman,who excelled at Hockey and Cricket, representing Sikh union Nairobi"
I have known Sir Mota, both professionally and socially since the mid 70s and knew of his interest in Cricket and Hockey.
When Sikh Union South London Club was formed in 1984, the Club had the honour of making him the Patron of the Club. He supported the Club and regularly attended the Club functions.
In the brochure for the Club's Far East Tour in 1986 he wrote "Sikhs take Hockey just like a duck takes to water. They have achieved great eminence on the hockey field; their nimble footwork and agility with the hockey stick are a source of fascination; they have been seen representing the countries where they have made their homes at the Olympic Games and other international tournaments, and have, thereby, helped to bring about that understanding among nationals of various countries that only a medium such as sports can do." 
Dil Bahra (Left), Lord Stevens (Centre) and Sir Mota Singh (Right) at Jallanwala Bagh, Amritsar, Punjab in 2004.
I had the privilege of being in his company for a whole week on an official tour to India in 2004, visiting Amritsar and Delhi. Not a day went by when we didn't talk about hockey.
Sikhs in Hockey