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All the news for Thursday 15 February 2018

Danson nets 50th GB goal in defeat



Captain Alex Danson netted her 49th and 50th goals for Great Britain in their 5-2 defeat to Argentina in Rosario.

Maria Jose Granatto grabbed a brace in the opening quarter before two from Bianca Donati and a strike from Milagros Fernandez saw Argentina work their way into a 5-1 lead.

Danson was on hand to grab a consolation strike late on and reach the landmark of 50 goals for Great Britain while Susannah Townsend made her 50th appearance for GB and Scotland's Sarah Robertson made her 100th international appearance.

Argentina raced into an early lead after just five minutes when Granatto connected with a clever deflection at a penalty corner to lift the ball over Cochrane, however Great Britain responded immediately as captain Alex Danson netted her 49th GB goal.

In the final minute of the first quarter Argentina moved back into the lead, Granatto collected the ball in the circle before rounding the keeper and slotting home.

The hosts piled on the pressure in the second half, encouraged by a vocal home crowd, and after a flurry of penalty corners extended their lead through Bianca Donati’s low drag-flick. On the stroke of half-time Argentina moved further ahead when Fernandez got deflected home from another penalty corner.

GB battled well in the third quarter causing Argentina problems and putting pressure of their own onto the host’s backline. But it was to be Argentina who grabbed the only goal of the quarter as Donati scored her second on 42 minutes.

Seven minutes from time Danson dived to lift a shot from the top of the circle high into the net, her 50th GB goal, and give her side a deserved late consolation goal.

Great Britain: Nikki Cochrane, Zoe Shipperley, Hollie Pearne-Webb, Laura Unsworth, Sarah Haycroft, Anna Toman, Susannah Townsend, Jo Hunter, Alex Danson, Sophie Bray, Nicola White

Subs: Rose Thomas, Hannah Martin, Sarah Robertson, Ellie Rayer, Emily Defroand, Giselle Ansley, Ellie Watton

England Hockey Board Media release

2018 Oman Triangular Series - Day 1
Muscat (OMA)

PAK - OMA 3 - 0

Standings

FIH Match Centre

Pakistan downs Oman 3-0 in opening match of 3-nation hockey tournament

Pakistan were off to a winning start at the 3-nation hockey tournament at Muscat's Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex.

They defeated the hosts Oman 3-0.

All three goals came through open play

Pakistan were ahead by two goals at the half time.

Shafqat Rasool, who has been recalled after a long time, was one of the scorers.

Oman's new head coach is Pakistan's former captain Tahir Zaman.

SCORERS:
Pakistan: Ali Shan (13'), Ajaz Ahmed (21'), Shafqat Rasool (45'),

Thursday,s Match: Pakistan vs Japan

The three sides will play each other twice followed by a final between the sides finishing first and second in the double league.

PHF Media release

Gold Coast 2018 hockey squads announced


Photo by Duncan Gray

Team Scotland and Scottish Hockey have announced the men’s and women’s hockey squads to represent Team Scotland at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

The announcement was made at Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Art Museum and Art Gallery with members of both squads in attendance.

Hockey will have both the men’s and women’s squad competing at Gold Coast 2018 with 36 athletes representing Scotland at the Commonwealth Games.

Scottish Hockey CEO David Sweetman said, “We’re incredibly proud to announce such exciting hockey squads for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, and I’d like to offer my congratulations to all the athletes selected. This announcement is a great testament to all the hard work and dedication shown by each athlete in the squads.

“Our players and staff are fantastic ambassadors for hockey and we look forward to cheering them on as they compete in Australia; and we wish the whole of Team Scotland the very best of luck for April’s Games.”

Scotland men

2017 was an incredible year for Scotland’s men’s hockey team. The Blue Sticks will be looking to carry their exceptional form from last year, where the team won EuroHockey Championship II and qualified for the World League semi-final, into 2018.

Excitement has been building in anticipation of the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games following the draw for the tournament. Scotland men have been drawn in Pool A with Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and South Africa. Men’s Pool B has India, England, Malaysia, Pakistan, and Wales drawn together.

Derek Forsyth said, “The players worked exceptionally hard throughout selection and I’m pleased with the squad we’ve selected. We have a great blend of youth and experience in our team and our players and staff are looking forward to representing Team Scotland in the Gold Coast.

“We’re looking forward to our upcoming test matches against England as these will be the last matches we play before the Gold Coast.”

Among the men’s squad for the Gold Coast is 20-year-old Rob Harwood. Harwood made his Scotland debut recently against USA in Malaga, marking the occasion with a sensational goal. His performances have earned him a place in the squad for the Gold Coast.

Harwood said, “I am absolutely delighted and honoured to have been selected to represent Team Scotland in the 2018 Commonwealth Games. I set myself the goal of reaching the games back in 2015, and for a while I didn’t think it was going to be possible – it hasn’t fully sunk in yet. It will be a proud moment for myself and my family and I can’t wait for the tournament to get under way. ”

The squad also features Captain Chris Grassick, Lee Morton, and Scotland and GB goal-machine Alan Forsyth.
 

Photo by John Preece

Scotland Women

Scotland women have been drawn in Pool B at Gold Coast 2018 against Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Ghana. Women’s Pool A has England, India, South Africa, Malaysia, and Wales drawn together.

Sarah Robertson, who recently surpassed 100 joint-caps for Scotland and GB while playing for GB in Argentina, is in the squad as is her fellow GB athletes Amy Costello and Nicola Cochrane. Lucy Lanigan also makes the squad after catching the eye in the recent warm-weather camp in Gran Canaria, where Scotland women clocked up four wins from five against Wales in a test series.

The Tartan Hearts have a two-match test series against Ireland in Glasgow on the horizon as the squad prepares for Gold Coast 2018. Over 1,000 school children from all over Scotland will cheer the team on at the two matches and give the squad a huge support as they set off for Australia.

Scotland women’s Head Coach Gordon Shepherd said, “The level of competition within the squad at the selection camp was excellent, and this left us with some difficult decisions to make, but we are extremely pleased and excited with the squad we have selected.

“Every player wants to represent Scotland at a Commonwealth Games as it’s the only multi-sport experience they will get playing for Scotland. The squad has a balance of experience and youth and there has been a big turnaround in personnel since Glasgow 2014 – only five players who represented Scotland then are selected for the Gold Coast.

“We have been very fortunate to have had great support from sportscotland and Scottish Hockey to have our players available for periods of full time training, and I and the players are extremely thankful for that support.”

Scotland men’s squad for Gold Coast 2018

Tommy Alexander (Reading)
Russell Anderson (Cannock)
Kenny Bain (Hurley)
Michael Bremner (UHC Hamburg)
Gavin Byers (Grove Menzieshill)
Callum Duke (Hillhead)
David Forrester (Club Montrouge)
Alan Forsyth (Surbiton)
David Forsyth (Qui Vive)
Cameron Fraser (Grange)
Chris Grassick (Surbiton)
Rob Harwood (Western Wildcats)
Gordon McIntyre (Wimbledon)
William Marshall (Surbiton)
Lee Morton (Reading)
Nick Parkes (Surbiton)
Duncan Riddell (Reading)
Jamie Wong (Qui Vive)

Non Travelling Reserves

Murray Collins (Loughborough Uni)
Cameron Golden (Grove Menzieshill)

Scotland women’s squad for Gold Coast 2018

Amy Brodie (Edinburgh University)
Millie Brown (Clydesdale Western)
Nicola Cochrane (Beeston)
Kareena Cuthbert (C) (Western Wildcats)
Bex Condie (VC) (University of Birmingham)
Robyn Collins (Surbiton)
Amy Costello (University of Birmingham)
Mairi Drummond (Wimbledon)
Amy Gibson (Reading)
Ali Howie (Clydesdale Western)
Sarah Jamieson (Grove Menzieshill)
Lucy Lanigan (Clydesdale Western)
Nikki Alexander-Lloyd (Wimbledon)
Sarah Robertson (Hampstead and Westminster)
Katie Robertson (Grove Menzieshill)
Nicola Skrastin (Grove Menzieshill)
Becky Ward (Western Wildcats)
Charlotte Watson (Dundee Wanderers)

Travelling Reserves:

Karin Belch (Grove Menzieshill)
Becky Merchant (Edinburgh University)

Non Travelling Reserves

Lucy Camlin (Watsonians)
Kate Holmes (Clifton Robinsons)

Scottish Hockey Union media release

U.S. Women's Masters Teams Announced for 2018 FIH Masters World Cup

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - USA Field Hockey is proud to announce the five U.S. Women’s Masters Teams to represent the United States at the 2018 FIH Masters World Cup. The biennial tournament is being held at the Club Egara in Terrassa, Spain from July 27 to August 5, with more than 140 national teams expected to compete in age categories from Over-35 to Over-55. Team USA is sending five U.S. Women’s Masters National Teams in the O-35, O-40, O-45, O-50 and O-55 age divisions. This marks a significant increase from the previous event held in 2016 in Canberra, Australia where both the women and men fielded two teams each. The squads will be aiming to build on their strong performances at the previous Masters World Cup, where the U.S. Women’s O-45 Team brought home a bronze medal.

As with previous events, selection was extremely competitive with six trials held on both the East and West Coasts. Performance at the trials was evaluated, with an alternative video, interview and reference assessment available for those unable to attend any of the trials. Extended squads were named in September 2017 and four additional practices were held in December and January before naming the final team rosters. It will be the third appearance for 15 athletes – Ana Berra, Megan Callahan, Lisa Cropper, Beth Denmead, Anne Dillman, Barbara Doran, Susan Elliott, Nicky Hitchens, Nancy Houghton, Kari Johns, Anne Keating, Maria Keesling, Florencia Manero, Georganne Nattress and Denise Zelenak.

Congratulations to the following athletes on their selection to represent Team USA at this year’s FIH Masters World Cup.

U.S. O-35 Women’s Masters Team:

Nicole Baudini | Doral, Fla.
Lucia Molina Berro | Miami, Fla.
Tiffany Cappellano | Oley, Pa.
Kelly Dearolf | Lancaster, Pa.
Jenny Everett | Fairfax, Va.
Patricia Gillern | Hartford, Vt.
Afton Hess | Joppa, Md.
Lifon Huynh | Santa Clara, Calif.
Brandilyn Alexander Kist | Tega Cay, S.C.
Heather Long | Pottstown, Pa.
Shannon Minnich | Mechanicsburg, Pa.
Elizabeth Putz | Monroeville, N.J.
Stacey Ross | Tamarac, Fla.
Jessica Rose Shellenberger | Lancaster, Pa.
Kiley Strohm | Hummelstown, Pa.
Michelle Webber | Baltimore, Md.
Melissa Weiss | Marriottsville, Md.
Elizabeth Wood | Phoenix, Ariz.

U.S. O-40 Women's Masters Team:

Rachel Barger | Atlanta, Ga.
Lauren Baugher | Waltham, Mass.
Ruth Busienei | Fountain Hills, Ariz.
Megan Callahan | Baltimore, Md.
Magdalena Castro | Key Biscayne, Fla.
Michelle Custer | Denver, Pa.
Melissa Emery | Big Sky, Mont.
Mara Grossi | Miami, Fla.
Kelly Hoffman | Portland, Maine
Carla Lane | Oklahoma City, Okla.
Kelly Mackinnon | Glen Cove, N.Y.
Maria Florencia Raffo | Pembroke Pines, Fla.
Kristy Recek | Bel Air, Md.
Jackie Scally | Oak Park, Calif.
Georgina Serenelli (Pinecrest, Fla.
Tamika Smith | Elkridge, Md.
Marije Toth | Erie, Colo.
Kelly Cawley Williamson | Oley, Pa.

U.S. O-45 Women's Masters Team:

Clara Ambrose | Westport, Conn.
Jen Anderson | Owings Mills, Md.
Chantal Lacroix Ayers | Apex, N.C.
Ana Berra | Doral, Fla.
Kim Bush | Raleigh, N.C.
Anne Dillman | Lancaster, Pa.
Susan Elliott | Fountainville, Pa.
Maya Harutyunyan | Glendale, Calif.
Nancy Houghton | Wallingford, Vt.
Kari Johns | Darien, Conn.
Margaret Kelly | Needham, Mass.
Gina Lucido | Henrico, Va.
Florencia Manero | Key Biscayne, Fla.
Wendi Massaro | Stamford, Conn.
Melissa Nash Mertz | Elizabethtown, Pa.
Christina Sommerfield | Providence, R.I.
Pamela Stuper | Hamden, Conn.
Patti Webb | Monkton, Md.

U.S. O-50 Women's Masters Team:

Christine Couteau | San Jose, Calif.
Silvia Irene Days | Argentina
Meri Dembrow | Royal Oak, Mich.
Beth Denmead | Netcong, N.J.
Sophie Etienne | Belmont, Mass.
Karina Ebe Greco | Argentina
Carol Gulija | Flemington, N.J.
Nicky Hitchens | Philadelphia, Pa.
Maria Keesling | Downingtown, Pa.
Barb Marois | Dover, N.H.
Laura Alejandra Mena | North Miami, Fla.
Kelly Dawson Setser | Louisville, Ky.
Denise Sheehan | Glenmoore, Pa.
Alison Smith | Highland Park, Ill.
Nori Smith | Suwanee, Ga.
Mercedes Suarez-Russell | Granada Hills, Calif.
Alicia Terrizzi | Pottstown, Pa.
Denise Zelenak | Wilmington, Del.

U.S. O-55 Women's Masters Team:

Diane Angstadt | Middletown, Pa.
Deb Atkins | Quarryville, Pa.
Donna Chung | Canton, Mass.
Lisa Cropper | Franklin, Mass.
Karen Croteau | Harpswell, Maine
Ishbel Dickens | Seattle, Wash.
Barbara Doran | New York, N.Y.
Cindy Dysenchuk | Coventry, Conn.
Cathy Jackson | Wilmington, Del.
Anne Keating | New York, N.Y.
Linda Kreiser | Middletown, Pa.
Lorraine Lewis | Bethesda, Md.
Diane Molinaro | Quakertown, Pa.
Wendy Morris | Lafayette, N.J.
Georganne Nattress | Norwalk, Conn.
Janet Powers | Towson, Md.
Michelle Reilly-Finegan | Doylestown, Pa.
Barb Wachowiak | Hamburg, N.Y.

USFHA media release

Emphasis on speed and agility

Women’s hockey national camp begins on Friday


Harendra Singh. 

Hockey India (HI) on Wednesday announced a 34-member squad for the women’s national camp beginning on Friday as chief coach Harendra Singh emphasised on the need for speed and agility ahead of a busy year.

“Since 2018 is extremely important with mega-events in the pipeline, it is necessary for the team to stay fit and injury-free. At the same time, the players need to be fast and agile,” Harendra said ahead of the camp.

“We will have a series of classes and sessions to guide players and educate them on significance of fitness and achieving our target in major competitions,” he added.

The Indian women’s hockey team, which ended 2017 by winning the Asia Cup in Japan, will report for the camp at SAI, Bengaluru.

The team will begin its campaign this year with the tour of Korea from March 3 to 12 where it will play five matches. In May, the team will return to Korea to defend the Asian Champions Trophy title.

“The Korea tour is important as we want to implement a few combinations and get some good match practice before we leave for the CWG,” Harendra said.

“With the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy being held in Korea, it is good to get used to the playing conditions. And matches against the host ahead of a big competition is always good.”

The team will also feature in the World Cup in London in July and the Asian Games in August.

“Fitness is a long process and we are happy that Wayne Lombard (scientific advisor) has worked so closely where the girls have shown a good graph. The focus was mainly on fitness and speed with technical skill development in the first two camps. Now, the focus will be on implementing different combinations of attack and defence,” Harendra said.

The squad: Goalkeepers: Savita, Rajani Etimarpu, Swati.

Defenders: Deep Grace Ekka, P. Sushila Chanu, Sunita Lakra, Gurjit Kaur, Hnialum Lal Ruat Feli, Navdeep Kaur, Rashmita Minz, Neelu Dadiya. Midfielders: Namita Toppo, Nikki Pradhan, Deepika, Karishma Yadav, Renuka Yadav, Navjot Kaur, Monika, Lilima Minz, Neha Goyal, Udita, M. Lily Chanu, Nilanjali Rai, Suman Devi Thoudam. Forwards: Rani, Vandana Katariya, Preeti Dubey, Reena Khokhar, Anupa Barla, Sonika, Lalremsiami, Poonam Rani, Navneet Kaur, Navpreet Kaur.

The Hindu

Women's hockey coach Harendra to work on fitness, agility at national camp

NEW DELHI: India's women's hockey chief coach Harendra Singh will demand improved fitness and agility when 34 players report for the national camp, which will begin in Sports Authority of India (SAI) centre in Bengaluru on Friday.

"Since 2018 is extremely important with mega events in the pipeline it is necessary for the team to stay fit and injury-free but at the same time they also need to be fast and agile," Harendra said in a Hockey India (HI) release.

"Keeping this in mind we will have a series of classes and sessions to guide players and educate them on significance of fitness and achieving our target in major competitions."

After ending the year 2017 on a high, winning the Asia Cup in Japan, the Indian team will begin its campaign this year with South Korea Tour between March 3 to 12 where they will play five matches against the hosts at the Jinchun National Athletic Centre, Jinchun.

Later in May, the Indian team will return to South Korea to defend their Asian Champions Trophy title. "The Korea Tour is important ahead of the Commonwealth Games as we want to implement a few combinations and get some good match practice before we leave for the CWG.

"With the 5th Women's Asian Champions Trophy being held in South Korea, it is good to get used to the playing conditions in that country and also matches against the home team ahead of a big competition is always good," added the Chief Coach.

Going by the fitness graph of the players which has witnessed a steep climb over the past year with players scoring well in the Yo-Yo Test which measures an athlete's ability to repeatedly perform high-intensity aerobic work, Harendra is optimistic of good results this year which also features the Hockey Women's World Cup London in July and the Asian Games starting in August.

"Fitness is a long process and we are happy that Wayne Lombard (scientific advisor) has worked so closely where the girls have shown a good graph," Harendra, who guided the Under-21 men to World Cup glory in 2016, said.

"After two camps that focused mainly on fitness and speed with technical skill development, now the focus will be implementing different combinations of attack and defence. I am confident the team is capable of good results this year."

Goalkeepers: Savita, Rajani Etimarpu, Swati

Defenders: Deep Grace Ekka, P. Sushila Chanu, Sunita Lakra, Gurjit Kaur, Hnialum Lal Ruat Feli, Navdeep Kaur, Rashmita Minz, Neelu Dadiya

Midfielders: Namita Toppo, Nikki Pradhan, Deepika, Karishma Yadav, Renuka Yadav, Navjot Kaur, Monika, Lilima Minz, Neha Goyal, Udita, M Lily Chanu, Nilanjali Rai, Suman Devi Thoudam

Forwards: Rani Rampal, Vandana Katariya, Preeti Dubey, Reena Khokhar, Anupa Barla, Sonika, Lalremsiami, Poonam Rani, Navneet Kaur, Navpreet Kaur.

The Times of India

UniKL players receive windfall for winning TNB Cup

KUALA LUMPUR: Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) were duly rewarded for winning their first-ever title in the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL).

They received a windfall of RM100,000 yesterday, in addition to the RM80,000 prize money for winning the TNB Cup last Saturday.

UniKL, who made their debut in the MHL in 2011, edged KL Hockey Club (KLHC) 4-3 on sudden-death penalty shootout in the final after both teams failed to break a 1-1 deadlock in regulation time.

UniKL Chancellor Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah said the total reward of RM180,000 would be equally distributed among the players and officials.

“I congratulate the management and team. They defied the odds to become champions despite the underdog tag.

The Star of Malaysia

Telkom's Cynthia Onyango crowned January's finest player

By BRIAN YONGA


Telkom goalkeeper Cynthia Onyango poses with her prizes after she was named the StarTimes/SJAK Sports Personality of the month for January on February 14, 2018 at City Park Stadium, Nairobi. PHOTO | COURTESY | 

Telkom women’s hockey goalkeeper Cynthia Onyango on Wednesday got a pleasant Valentine’s Day present after she won the StarTimes/SJAK Sports Personality of the month for January.

Cynthia beat tennis teen sensations Ryan Randiek and Sneha Kotecha, and boxer Nick Okoth to be the seventh recipient of the coveted prize.

The 24-year- old was voted by a panel of journalists after she emerged the best goal keeper during last month’s Africa Cup for Club Champions tourney in Accra, Ghana.

Cynthia conceded only two goals in six matches as Telkom, nine time winners of the competition, took silver after losing 1-0 to Ghana Revenue Authority in the final. Despite Telkom failing to defend their title, Cynthia won accolades from coaches and other players for her prowess in goal.

Her brilliant saves during the final saw the hosts only win by a solitary goal to claim their first continental title. She only conceded three goals throughout the 2017/2018 Kenya Hockey Union women’s Premier League season to help her team to an unprecedented 20th crown.

Cynthia received the monthly award on Thursday at the City Park Stadium in Nairobi in the presence of her teammates as well as Coach Jos Openda.

“This is a great surprise, thank you StarTimes for being the sponsors and SJAK for considering me for this prize. This truly goes a long way to inspire and motivate me to work harder. It also goes to show that hockey is an important sport in the country,” she underlined.

Other athletes who have been honoured with the SJAK/StarTimes award are Simon Kibai Cherono (Deaflympics), Helen Obiri (athletics), Janet Okelo (rugby), Ismail Changawa (Tennis), Edith Wisa volleyball) and Fatuma Zarika (boxing).

“This is a great surprise, thank you StarTimes for being the sponsors and SJAK for considering me for this prize. This truly goes a long way to inspire and motivate me to work harder. It also goes to show that hockey is an important sport in the country,” she underlined.

She vowed to help her club win more titles next season and also keep a clean sheet throughout the season.

The national team first choice keeper was awarded a StarTimes 42-inch digital television set and Sh100, 000.

“Telkom has been on top for many years and Cynthia’s prowess in goal has been one of the reasons for that and it is only fitting that we award her today,” StarTimes Director of Marketing and PR, Japheth Akhulia, said.

SJAK chairman Chris Mbaisi, said the association ventured into the unique monthly awards to give non-football players a chance to be recognized.

“We are happy that these awards are already inspiring players to work hard to accomplish their aim,” Mbaisi noted.

Daily Nation

G. Surajan: The ‘Don’ of Singapore hockey dies after prolonged illness

Surajan was like a ‘Don’, from the famous ‘The Godfather’ movie-sequels, very assertive in leadership, outstanding team player and, most importantly, very unassuming, off the field - JITA SINGH

By Suresh Nair


G. Surajan – Photo: Suresh Nair / The Independent

WHEN he walked on the hockey field, you could feel the ground shake. When he spoke, there was absolute silence as he delivered his thoughts without fear or favour. When he shakes your hand, you feel the blessed touch of genuine friendship.

And when Gangadharan Surajan passed on Tuesday morning, due to prolonged illness, he left the sporting fraternity in absolute awe and shock. Close to speechless!

The famous line, “big, strong and friendly”, precisely fitted the former Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) retired Major. He was a true-blue role-model, in every sense of the word, as I remember him when I first took to the stick-and-ball more than four decades ago.

Absolutely awesome in distinguished personality, he commanded instant respect with his overall professional and personal mannerism. He was held in highest regard, from teenagers to senior citizens, simply because he was a “mountain of a man”.

Former SEAP Games 1973 vice-captain Arul Subramaniam, also a senior SAF officer, who played in the same gold-medal-winning team, says: “His presence just fires you. I vividly remember the final match in the SEAP Games when we shocked Malaysia 2-0, where I scored the first goal through a penalty flick.

“When I was about to take the penalty-flick he calmed me down tremendously when he told me to focus on where I should flick the ball, just like I endeared during daily practises. I followed his quick advice and when I scored, he ran and hugged me. The team was in tears at the opening goal against the world-class Malaysians. Surajan was simply an outstanding inspiration to our team.”

Award-winning football coach Jita Singh (the SNOC ‘Coach of the Year’ 1981) remembers Surajan from Serangoon English School (SES) days in the mid-1960s when they played in the same hockey team. He says: “We were the powerhouses of schools hockey as majority of the players were experienced teenagers from Jansenites.

“Surajan was like a ‘Don’, from the famous ‘The Godfather’ movie-sequels, very assertive in leadership, outstanding team player and, most importantly, very unassuming, off the field. He garnered tremendous respect from everyone with his gentleman mannerism.”

An annual nostalgic get-together of past and present hockey stalwarts is usually organised at Indian Association in June and last year, even in declining health, Surajan came in a wheelchair and inspiringly fraternised with his mates.

A former founder leader at Jansenites, one of the oldest hockey “kampong” clubs, he was a rare SEAP Games 1973 hockey gold-medallist. He rose, academically, from Serangoon English School (SES) and Raffles Institution (RI), where he was an all-rounder schoolboy legend.

Colonel (Retired) Gurcharan Singh, a former Vice President of the-then Singapore Hockey Association (SHA), says: “Surajan was a hockey mega-star. I knew him as a schoolboy and later we were in the uniformed services together. He was, in a nutshell, a close-to-perfect officer and gentleman. I’m very saddened at his sudden loss.”

Professionally, after retiring from the RSN as a decorated sea-faring major, Surajan started Major’s Pest Management Services, always setting the highest standards towards pest-control industry-improvement.

ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs in Southeast Asia and surrounding countries. We have a Facebook page, do give it a LIKE. Follow us on Twitter. Visit our website: www.asiasamachar.com

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