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AVTAR SINGH SOHAL: A FIELD HOCKEY SUPERSTAR (Working draft)

 Tari is 87 years old but remembers his hockey days as if they happened yesterday. Most of all he will never forget his team-mates. (What do you remember most about Tari, write to skipfer43@gmail.com) A working draft Tari, Kenya's outstanding hockey superstar, was born for greatness, which he achieved each year he played and captained the Kenya Olympic team,  the Kenya national team, his ultra-beloved Sikh Union Hockey team and the clubhouse. I spoke to him recently, and he spoke at length about his friendship (1) with the  Goans (1a with the Sikh Union Club (2a with the Kenya national team and later coaching largely African teams.) Tony Vaz, Hilary Fernandes,  Edgar, and the late Hilary Fernandes (I used to look forward to Christmas because I would love the Goan sweets, used to meet with Egbert for a beer), the late Alu Mendonca, Saude George ("learnt a lot from him), Hilary Fernandes ("A very, very special friend')  Reynolds Pereira, Silu Fernandes (always a v...

Five of the greatest people in the world

  Jeff Fialho: My favourite people Joginder Singh - The Flying Sikh (Kenya Rally Champion) Joginder Singh was a successful Kenyan rally driver in the 1960s and 70s and was noted for winning the gruelling Safari rally three times. This event is rated as the toughest and most challenging in the World Rally Championship calendar. Joginder started his rallying career in the early 60s, driving Volkswagen motorcars and achieved his first outright win in 1965, driving with brother Jaswant in a Volvo PV544 a vehicle that was written off in the year before by a Swedish competitor. He was previously an REAAA patrol man and his historic first Safari win proved to be a triumph against expectations and a defiance of superstition. It was the 13th running of the event, and the car was given the number one, which was at the time considered an unlucky number in the Safari. Subsequent wins came in 1974 and 1976 in a Mitsubishi Lancer 1600 GSR...He is fondly known as the Flying Sikh. His record...

CANADIAN FIELD HOCKEY OLYMPIANS

 CANADIAN  Olympics Glory guys! Devohn Noronha Texeira Santiago 2023 Toronto 2015 Rio 2016 Tokyo 2020 Keegan Pereira Santiago 2023 Tokyo 2020 Lima 2019 Rio 2016 Ken Pereira Beijing 2008 Wayne Fernandes Sydney 2000 Aaron Fernandes LA 1984 Brandon Pereira Tokyo 2020 Lima 2019 Apologies for any errors, would appreciate the corrections

JUST FOR THE MEMORIES

 

Toronto GOA's hockey stars

  The many players who adorned the Toronto GOA with field hockey greatness! The men! Standing left to right — Romeo Rodrigues, Clarence Dias, Donat Desouza, Edwin Fernandes, Huby Desouza, George Moraes, Wayne Grimmer, Ovi Desouza, Derek Valles, Remy Diniz, Squatting— Nelson Rodrigues, Filandro Fernandes, Robert Desouza, Owen desouza, The women! Back row Zulema DeSouza, Matthew (Romeo) Rodiques, Melba D'Souza, Clarence Dias, Donat D'Souza, Edwin Fernandes, Hubert, Ella, George Moraes, Wayne Grimmer, Sharon DeSouza, Orvie D'Souza, Derick Valles, Audrey Noronha, Mitelia Paul, Remi, Lower row - Milly Coreia, Nelson Rodiques, Lilian D'Mello, Gloria Fernandes, Philandro Fernandes, ?, Astrid DeSouza, Owen D'Souza, Harjit. WITH ENDEARING THANKS TO JOHN NORONHA AND AUDREY NORONHA TEIXEREIRA!  

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF JEFF FIALHO

  Jeff Fialho Many friends from around the world, but especially in the United Kingdom, have told me many times about a wonderful guy named Jeff Fialho. It has taken a long time for me to get around to writing about this appreciation. He grew up in Pangani Chini, a Nairobi suburb near Eastleigh, where I grew up. To give you an idea about this delightful, quiet achiever, one of his long-time friends, Merwin D’Souza, who lives in Florida, USA, wrote the following: From a very early age, Jeff Fialho developed an intense passion for cars.  He began collecting die-cast scale model cars, influencing many of his peers to do the same. Most of us simply could not keep up!  Over the years, Jeff amassed a significant collection of model cars, taking great care to keep them in pristine shape. Many were rare, limited editions which became sought-after items.   Sadly, when he moved to London, his collection was stolen.  Jeff's photographic memory is legendary.  Somehow h...