Mahan Hall of Fame

Avtar Singh Sohal
OLY, HSC, OGW

President Uhuru Kenyatta accords one of the highest individual recognitions awards in Kenya to Sardar Avtar Singh Sohal OLY (b. 1938) - The Order of the Grand Warrior - announced at the 2021 Jamhuri Day (Independence Day) celebrations in Nairobi on 12 December.

The Order of the Grand Warrior (OGW) is an award presented to individuals in recognition of an outstanding service rendered to the country in different responsibilities and capacities. Avtar Singh Sohal has been recognised for bringing glory and honour to the country as an athlete who exhibited exemplary performance at the global arenas.

As the multiple Olympian's second Presidential recognition (he was conferred the 'Head of State of Commendation by President Mwai Kibaki in 2005), the Order of the Grand Warrior adds to his illustrious career's multiple awards and accolades that he has earned for Kenya in over 60 years of playing field hockey.

A protege of Nairobi's Sikh Union (originally established as Khalsa Union in 1920) where he started playing in 1955 at the age of 17, Avtar Singh Sohal retired from international hockey in 1972 at the age of just 34, and then retired from playing hockey in 1978 at the age of 40.

At the age of 19, he played his first International match in Nairobi against British Kenya, going on to represent Kenya in his first Olympics in Rome 1960 at the age of 22. In 1962, he was selected as British Kenya Captain at the age of only 24 and led his country to the Tokyo 1964 Olympics where Kenya outplayed many big boys in the game and toped 4th in the world - Kenya's best ever performance internationally.

By the age of 26 in 1965, and as Captain of Sikh Union, he won every single championship in the game in East Africa over a period of 6 years.

Besides the Olympics, Avtar Singh captained Kenya at the 1971 Hockey World Cup in Barcelona when he was just 33 years old. In yet another Olympics at Munich in 1972, he captained Kenya after which he retired from international hockey.

He is also immortalised in the Guinness World Records books from 1979 to 1985 with 167 international games played.

Avtar took Kenya to the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984 at the age of 46 as his country's Chief Coach; was selected at the age of 49 by the FIH (International Hockey Federation) as their delegation's Judge in 1984 - and the very same year, he was appointed Assistant Director for the All Africa Games in Nairobi; appointed FIH Judge at the age of 50 for the 1988 Seoul Olympics; was the Head Coach in Indonesia at the 1993 Men and Women's national team South East Asia Games; served as FIH Technical Judge at the 1994 World Cup in Sydney; was Head Coach for Zimbabwe at the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa in 1996; was FIIH Judge at the Champions Trophy in Lahore in 1998; appointed Kenya Head Coach for both men and women at the 1999 All Africa Games in South Africa; awarded the FIH Diploma of Merit in 2000; was Judge again for the FIH at the first Champions Challenge in Kuala Lampur; and finally retired from FIH duties in 2006 at the age of 68.

Since then, he has continued to remain an active role model, coach and mentor for Kenya's budding hockey players.

As a living monument, Avtar Singh Sohal stands tall as a giant amongst giants in Kenya's enviable sporting history, and his recognitions, both nationally and internationally have come at a a heavy price, having give his entire life to the game of hockey and helped put Kenya firmly in the league of the world's greatest and unforgettable legends.
Article & Photo by Khalsa Lakhvir Singh

A change of colour, Simba blue to enhance the treasured photos

A sad day for Kenya Hockey, a legend lost!

A delight to have ex Pakistan cricket coach and test match player Mudassar Nazar and his wife and Club member Jackie Mudasser for Lunch at the Club today.
Mr Nazar was as an opening batsman for Pakistan and played 76 test and 122 one-day matches.
He also coached In Kenya back in 2004-2006.

A 180 degree view of the Mahan Hall of Fame inside Sikh Union Club Nairobi.
The Club has had a refreshing face lift during COVID months and eagerly awaits the lifting of Government precautions to resume normal activities for its members.

A 180 degree view of the Mahan Hall of Fame inside the Sikh Union Club Nairobi which has recently had a refreshing face lift (September 2020).

What a honour to finally have my hockey history mentor Mr Dil Bahra from the UK (sikhsinhockey.com) pay us a visit and see the Mahan Hall of Fame.
Dil gave a wonderful tribute slideshow at Surjeet Singh Panesar & Jack Simonian memorial at Sikh Union Club 1st February 2020.
No picture is complete without my kids and my hockey guru Avtar Singh Sohal.

Our dear Jack Simonian passed away last night in London, he had just turned 84 a few days ago.
Multi-Olympian hockey legendary Goalkeeper for Kenya and Sikh Union Club Nairobi, a motorbike champion, rally enthusiast and one hell of a gentleman!
Rest in peace Jack, legends such as you become immortal, we will never forget you.