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" I was invited by East
African Ramgarhia Board by
S. Amarjit Singh Gahir from Nairobi, Kenya
for the release of Ramgarhiakom-vol-4 . I
was presenting
my site in a big hall in the presence
of around 400 people.
After presentation a long man came to see me
with his wife and introduced himself as Avtar Singh Sohal Guinness book of record
holder as most international appearances in
international hockey .
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After some discussion I made
the program and fix a meeting. I was
staying with the family of S. Amarjit Singh Gahir
(A reputed family known for good hospitality). Avtar picked me from the house .The
residence of S. Avtar S Sohal is in a posh locality
and well maintained. His wife Smt. Ripudaman Kaur Lotay welcomed us and advise us to remove our
shoes, wash hand then pay our gratitude to Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji, which
was nicely placed on the first floor of the house.
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S. Avtar Singh Sohal born to
Smt ........on 22nd March 1938 at Nairobi. His father S. Piara Singh
Sohal migrated to Kenya in 1938.
He worked in mechanical
department with
Royal Air force. He started his own firm "Vulcan plumbing company" with partnership
of an Englishman Mr. Camble. He did plumbing of prominent building
in and around Nairobi.
After some time he shifted to
UK and settled at London. Till then Avtar proved
himself as good hockey player and he became a trustworthy player of Kenya
National Hockey
Team.
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After completing
his education Avatar joined account section of Barclays Bank. In 1967 he joined
Kenya Breweries as
Market Manger. The company never stopped him to play
hockey ,rather encourage him to play for Kenya. Avtar
worked up to 1993. After retirement he dedicated himself
to hockey. He was a good cricketer, cyclist as
well as a well all rounder during his school. He started
playing hockey during his
school. In 1957 he played against S. Africa and secured first Goal .He was a trust worthy full back and penalty
corner expert. In 1962 he became the captain of
Kenya National team. His
father always stands beside him during practice session.
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Avtar Singh Sohal represented Kenya at the 1960 Rome;
1964 Tokyo; 1968 Mexico City and 1972 Munich Olympic. He
captained the three Olympic Games. He worked as a
Coach of the Kenya team who had participated in 1984 Olympic Games
held at Los Angeles.
He played for Kenya for 15 years and captained the
country from 1962 to 1972.
He also Captained Kenya in the first World Cup in 1971 in
Barcelona where Kenya finished fourth. He had worked as Assistant Coach
at the second World Cup 1973 at Amsterdam. He is
undoubtedly one of the finest hockey player Kenya has
ever produced. |
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He is a
Kenya National Coach and International Umpire
The citation
in the 1984 Guinness Book of Records read:
‘Most International Appearances: Avtar Singh Sohal
(b. 22 March 1938) represented Kenya 167 times between
1957 and 1972.'Coached Indonesian, Hong Kong and
Zimbabwean hockey teams.
S. Avtar Singh Sohal Awarded ‘Head of State
Commendation Award’ by President of Kenya on 12th
December 2004. He Awarded ‘Diploma of Merit’ for
distinguished services rendered to the F.I.H by Juan Angel Calzado, President of the
International Hockey Federation on 23 November 2000 |
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Avtar
got married to Ripudaman Kaur Lotay on
6th April 1969.
she is religious
and social lady. Once she dreamed about Gurudwara Ritha
Sahib (known as Mitha Reetha in Uttranchal, India). she dreamed that some power insist her to
visit the place. After visiting the couple find the
drastic condition of the holy place. Then the couple
Pray "Waheguru" to give courage to do the
beautification of the shrine. With the blessing of "Waheguru"
and the co-operation of Sikh in Kenya they
generated finances and started cleanliness of
the surroundings and approach road. Now a
beautiful building welcomes the pilgrimages. A booklet about the shrine is also published
in bio-lingual "Babe Nanak Da Mitha Reetha"
The couple
visiting this place regularly.
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E S S A G E .
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"
Keep away from drugs and alcohol. Use your energy
in
constructive work
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Address
: 81-Thigiri Close, New
Muthiaga, Nairobi P.O. Box 41455
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