Indian hockey legends inspired me to pick up the stick: Four-time Olympian from Kenya

It was a treat to watch Indian hockey legends on the field, recalls 87-year-old Avtar Singh Sohal, who has represented Kenya at four Olympics from 1960-72.

Watching Indian legends Major Dhyan Chand, Gurbachan Singh and Kishen Lal play in Nairobi in 1947, the then young Sohal was inspired to pick up the hockey stick. The Kenya-born Sikh boy was amazed at the skill of Indian players, their presence of mind and approach to corner the opponents.

Sohal has led the Kenyan hockey team in 1964, 1968, and 1972 Olympics, and in the 1st World Cup in Barcelona in 1971. He represented Kenya from 1957-72 and was capped 167 times.

“I was born in Kenya, but my parents kept me attached to my roots. India’s 1947 batch, which played three matches in Nairobi, really attracted me towards the game,” said Sohal, during his visit to Chandigarh today.

His family belonged to Virk village near Phagwara. He was a barely 10 when his father asked him if he was serious about hockey. He learned the game at City Primary School and the Duke of Gloucester School in Nairobi. He has also been the Kenyan national coach from 1978-88.

“I have seen the best days in hockey. As many as 34 Sikh players have represented Kenya,” said Sohal, who is also known as Tari paji in the hockey fraternity.

After he hung up his boots after the 1972 Munich Olympics, he held the record of being the most capped international hockey player, and a rare achievement of being part of six Olympics—four as a player, once as a coach and a technical delegate.

Sohal said, “There was a time when Indian hockey had hit a low, but the nation really recovered well. It’s amazing to watch Indian Punjabi players ruling the turf. In Kenya, we have enough talent…the youngsters are quick, well-built and have better strength, but they are not technically sound. If I send those kids here, they will surely become unstoppable,” laughed Sohal, who has played for the Sikh Union, Nairobi—the club that organises Vaisakhi Hockey Tournament, and will be turning 100 next year to become perhaps one of the oldest in the world.