Sikhs in Hockey - Officials

Contribution of Sikhs in hockey worldwide has been immense and Sikh personalities have been involved in all aspects of the game as Officials on National, Continental and FIH levels.

Mahan Singh Sandhu was the Team Coach when Kenya competed in her first Olympic Games in Melbourne, 1956. He also umpired in this Olympic tournament. In 1957, Mahan Singh was elected the President of the Kenya Hockey Union.  He was also the Chairman of East African Hockey Umpires Association in 1963.

After coaching the Kenya National Team in Tokyo 1964 and Mexico 1968 Olympic Games, Hardial Singh Kular became one of Kenya's best known administrators. After serving as the Secretary, he became the Chairman of the Kenya Hockey Union and later the President of the African Hockey Federation. Hardial Singh was the Vice President of the International Hockey Federation until his death in 1998.

Hardev Singh Kular, after playing in the Melbourne 1956 and Rome 1960 Olympics, became Kenya's coach and the Secretary of Kenya Hockey Union. He was Chairman of Kenya Hockey Union from 1998 to 2004.

Pritam Singh Sandhu who played at the Rome 1960 Olympic Games and was the Manager at Los Angeles Games in 1984, became the Chairman of Kenya Hockey Union in 1988.

Kanwar Pal Singh headed the Indian Hockey Federation for 14 years. Prof. Gursewak Singh was the Secretary of Indian Hockey Federation from 1990 - 1994, Vice President of Indian Hockey Federation and a member of Indian Olympic Association.

Tarlochan Singh Sandhu, was the treasurer of Tanzania Olympic Committee from 1971 to 1988, Treasurer of All African Hockey Federation from 1971 to 1988 and member of National Sports Council of Tanzania from 1971 - 1988. He was also an international Umpire from 1976 to 1988.

Harnam Singh Grewal and Udham Singh Dhillon were both Presidents of Hong Kong Hockey Association.

Rajkumar Singh was President of Indonesia Hockey Association for over two decades.

Dato Dr. Surinder Singh Cheema of Malaysia served on FIH Medical Commission and Kuldip Singh of Singapore on FIH Judicial Commission.

Avtar Singh Sohal who represented Kenya at Rome 1960; Tokyo 1964; Mexico 1968 and Munich 1972, captained the last three Olympics, later became Kenya's coach and served on FIH Development and Coaching Committee.

Pargat Singh Powar represented India in three Olympic Games; Seoul 1988, Barcelona 1992 and Atlanta 1996. After captaining the last two, he then became the National Coach. He was appointed Director of Sport, Punjab in 2005; the youngest Director at the age of 39 and also served on the FIH Athletes panel and the Rules Advisory Panel.

Resham Singh Bains was the Chairman of Kenya Hockey Union (2005 - 2013) and Vice President of African Hockey Federation. Sarinder Singh Dhillon is the current President of Hong Kong Hockey Association and Prof. Sinderpal Singh is the Deputy President of Singapore Hockey Association.

Please click the relevant item on the menu bar on the left for more detailed information.