Sikh Union Club Centenary Celebrations Feature Global Hockey Tournament in Nairobi

A team trained by Rajinder Singh, a member of India’s 1980 Olympic gold medal-winning hockey squad, has emerged as a major attraction at the centenary celebrations of Sikh Union Club, one of the oldest organizations representing Indian expatriates, particularly the Sikh community.

Nairobi, the club’s home city, is hosting a gathering of prominent sports personalities who have represented countries including India. They are participating in a series of events anchored by an invitational international hockey tournament featuring teams from India, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, Nigeria, and host nation Kenya.

The Malaysian veterans’ team is led by Olympian Sarjit Singh, while the United Kingdom side is captained by fellow Olympian Harvinder Singh Sibia.

The centenary programme received a boost with the participation of Punjab-based Roundglass, a leading hockey academy, which sent a young team trained by Rajinder Singh. He was among the top scorers at the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games, where India secured its most recent Olympic gold medal in hockey. The tournament has reached a competitive stage with separate events for men and masters categories.

Beyond competition, the centenary initiatives led by chairman Hardial Kalsi emphasize legacy building and global engagement. The club has launched academies across multiple sports to identify grassroots talent, while also bringing together members and stakeholders to commemorate a century of sporting excellence.

“Standards have been set, and only the sky’s the limit,” Kalsi said, outlining the club’s ambitions for its next phase as it continues to build on its standing as one of Kenya’s leading multi-sport institutions.

Harbinder Singh Sethi, a prominent Sikh businessman based in South Africa, attended the grand opening ceremony as chief guest. Sethi, who relocated from Tanzania to South Africa, is credited with building the first Sikh gurdwara in Johannesburg. Several former sporting figures are also participating in the celebrations and future development initiatives of the club.

“We are delighted to have teams from India, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, and Nigeria joining our local teams, including Sikh Union Club, in a competition that will hopefully have its medal round matches on a brand-new deep blue synthetic surface being laid at Dasmesh Stadium of the Club,” said Manjinder (Munai) Singh Bansal, Chairman of the Centenary Celebrations Committee.

Work on the new playing surface is nearing completion under the supervision of six-time Olympian Avtar Singh Sohal. Known as “Tari” among supporters, Sohal has led efforts to raise substantial funds for the installation of the surface as part of the centenary upgrades.

“We were hopeful that the new deep blue surface would be ready before the start of the hockey event last week, but incessant rains in April and the first week of May have delayed the commissioning of the new surface,” Sohal said. “It would be the first private club in Kenya to have the latest deep blue surface,” he added.

Organizing secretary Del Mudher highlighted that hockey is only one aspect of the club’s sporting legacy. Over the decades, Sikh Union Club has produced 26 Olympians and several hockey World Cup players. It has also played a significant role in cricket, serving as a historic hub for East African cricket and producing leading players. The club is also associated with top motor rallyist Tiger Joginder Singh.

The centenary celebrations mark the culmination of a month-long programme combining sport, culture, and community engagement. A cricket tournament featuring eight-over matches was held at the club’s international-standard ground, where the host team finished as runners-up.

Additional competitions in badminton, golf, football, darts, and a treasure hunt have drawn strong participation, reinforcing the club’s multi-sport presence. The golf event alone attracted nearly 200 participants.

Kenya international Sukhdeep Singh delivered a notable performance for the host team during the cricket tournament.

The hockey competition will continue through May 9, maintaining the momentum of the celebrations. The programme will conclude on May 10 with a grand banquet at the club, bringing together members and stakeholders to mark 100 years of sporting achievement.

Related posts:

Indian Hockey’s Road to LA 2028: Tejinder Singh Aujla on Qualification Challenges, Transition, and Governance Punjab to Host Asian Champions Trophy Hockey Tournament, Marking Entry into Global FIH/AHF Event Circuit FIH Junior World Cup Hockey: India to Play Pakistan on November 29 National Cricket League Targets Wider Audiences With GT20 Canada After FIFA World Cup 2026