Dar legends see hockey’s glorious era in Samia presidency

IT is just two years now since President Samia Suluhu enter the office but already earned a huge acclaim from the hockey fraternity in the country and overseas.

The hockey legends who once played for the various clubs and the national team said upon arrival in Tanzania after many years outside the country, that Tanzania under Samia Suluhu Hassan’s presidency has become an excellent sporting county.

They lauded President Samia due to the good work has done in opening up the country, a situation that made it possible for legends living overseas and those in the country to reunite in a special hockey festival staged last year. Organised by the Khalsa Sports Club of Dar es Salaam, the historical event was special to honour former hockey star Canada-based Tarlochan Sandhu but complimented the President for making it possible.

The exciting event also saw some members of the national hockey team that took part at the Moscow Olympics in 1980 which was managed by Sundhu.

Moscow Olympic team members who were part of the event to honour Sandhu included the former Tanzania Hockey Association (THA) chairman Abraham Sykes, Taher Kitisa, Onali Salem and Sigori Tomas. But the event was full of praises to President Samia who has opened the door for the hockey fraternity to meet and open their mind about the need in supporting sports development in the country.

It is expected that things to change so it was worth the platform in supporting the game. Bharya Sarbjit was among the personalities who could not hide the truth and he openly said all have been possible due to the good leadership of President Samia.

“All this has been only possible because of the good works that have been put in place by President Samia Suluhu, she has opened Tanzania to sports and she keeps telling people to come as there is no problem here, come and invest, build the country and you will get in returned,” he reminded.

Once the plan put to life this platform will be remembered and Honer will remain with the President. The legends lauded President for doing well in promoting sports and as stakeholders, they not just met but had plans and were ready to join Her hand as all started will the meeting platform first.

Sarbjit, who is Becco Limited Chief Executive Officer (CEO), responded to Dar es Salaam Hockey Association chairman, Savio Fernandes who urged the stakeholders to support the plan to construct a modern hockey stadium in Dar es Salaam which is one of event fruits. Becco is ready to offer construction material at the site and 10m/- for the same so as enable big regions like Dar es Salaam to have a hockey modern facility.

The evening saw Sandhu receiving praises as a gifted hockey player, leader and also mentor and support to many but himself supports the move and said it is time to join hands on constructing hockey stadium as the government its self-kin on the development of sports only… Sandhu who is still serving as a banker in Canada at age of 82, said sports are very important as it cannot count his achievement without mentioning all the values attained through sports as they teach him discipline, how to be complete, how to compete for an event for self and pride, mutual respect and teamwork, partnership, adjustment.

Khalsa Club Vice Chairman, Rai Kulvinder Rai, the USA-based Gurdial Singh Pardes, who used to play badminton and hockey, was team manager of the reformed team that went to play in Zanzibar to celebrate CCM’s birth in 1977 all insisted on one aim in supporting sports and government efforts. Hockey legend Sandhu who was accompanied by Sykes and other former players, visited Tanzania Olympic Committee (TOC) Secretary General Filbert Bayi with the aim of planning to bring back the lost glory.

They are optimistic that the efforts and plans will continue to take shape and turn the country into the spotlight. As hockey remained the only team sport that was present in Tanzanian team at 1980 Olympic Games, it now needs a good push to return to where it belongs. Sandhu was the Tanzania hockey team manager at Moscow Olympics in 1980 while Sykes was the team captain.

The Tanzania hockey team under Sandhu’s captainship was also invited to the Six Nations competition held in Kingston, Jamaica in 1976 and the All Africa Games in Algiers in 1978 among the most notable few.

Apart from playing hockey at a high-level, Sandhu who said his heart is in Tanzania, served as TOC Treasurer, Member of National Sports Cancel (NSC ), THA Secretary and Dar es Salaam Hockey Association secretary so had the much-needed experience in the sport.

He was a Member of Africa in the Commonwealth Games Federation Finance Committee, Chair of DCA, International Field Hockey Umpire, Treasurer African Hockey Federation, Member of EA Hockey Union, and Chairman Lions Club Dar City.

The humble and charming Sandhu lauded all people for their support and energy that enabled him to deliver.