Tribute to Legends: 2 Key Sikh Sportsman Departed[/B]
http://www.thepeople.co.ke/45117/tribute-legends/
This week, two influential sporting figures passed on to be with their Maker. Former Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) Chairman Hardev Singh Kular died on New Year’s eve and former Gor Mahia FC treasurer and an avid sportsman and golf player Abdallah Bekah Bakhit departed from our midst after succumbing to illness.
Much will be written about this two defining figures, but above all, is their contribution to sport and particularly, the two gentlemen’s association with football. Under chairman Zack Mbori and Bekah, Hardev, through his Olympic Sports House franchise sponsored Gor in so many avenues, including kitting the team in the 1980s.
Hardev, one of the most decorated non-medal winning Olympians, has given most of his life to hockey, making a stop at every stage eventually leading it as chairman with an enviable and unbroken record of 40 years. Bekah on his part, served Gor during the period in the run-up to the historic Mandela Cup win in 1987, as a pillar to the club through his professional insurance skill, including some of the most tumultuous period in the club that saw several players sacked, and the name change that was never to be in the early 1980s.
After he quit his active service to the football club that he so loved, Bekah took to golf, a sport that he gave his all time and dedication culminating in him leading the professional body. Bekah was also sprints champion at Alliance High School and later played for Kikuyu Youngstars in Thika. He is the founder of YUoung Rovers in Kibera. Noordin Taib, a former Kenya Football Federation (KFF) treasurer during Bekah’s time at Gor led in paying tribute to the fallen sports administrators.
Other tributes came from Issa Abdulfaraj of the Nubian Council of Elders. Noordin said that Bekah’s sporting history started as a youth player for Western Rangers in Kibera alongside soccer luminaries like William Chege Ouma, James Sianga and Joe Okeyo all who went on to play for various teams in the national league. Limuru Golf Club’s Yassin Awale eulogised Bekah with a statement. KGU described the insurance executive as “A man who gave his all to Golf and Vet.
Was Chairman of KGU in 1999. During Easter fondly referred to “Abramovich” Bekah, for his uncanny way of sighting talent and being able to woo it to Vet for Tannahill. As well as giving employment and support opportunity to golfers from all walks of life,” Bekah once served as chairman of national team Harambee Stars Management Board. He was the Managing Director of Sedgewick Insurance Brokers and was Chairman of the College of Insurance Management Board. Bekah was also in the FIFA Normalisation Commit. By DEREK OTIENO
http://www.thepeople.co.ke/45117/tribute-legends/
This week, two influential sporting figures passed on to be with their Maker. Former Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) Chairman Hardev Singh Kular died on New Year’s eve and former Gor Mahia FC treasurer and an avid sportsman and golf player Abdallah Bekah Bakhit departed from our midst after succumbing to illness.
Much will be written about this two defining figures, but above all, is their contribution to sport and particularly, the two gentlemen’s association with football. Under chairman Zack Mbori and Bekah, Hardev, through his Olympic Sports House franchise sponsored Gor in so many avenues, including kitting the team in the 1980s.
Hardev, one of the most decorated non-medal winning Olympians, has given most of his life to hockey, making a stop at every stage eventually leading it as chairman with an enviable and unbroken record of 40 years. Bekah on his part, served Gor during the period in the run-up to the historic Mandela Cup win in 1987, as a pillar to the club through his professional insurance skill, including some of the most tumultuous period in the club that saw several players sacked, and the name change that was never to be in the early 1980s.
After he quit his active service to the football club that he so loved, Bekah took to golf, a sport that he gave his all time and dedication culminating in him leading the professional body. Bekah was also sprints champion at Alliance High School and later played for Kikuyu Youngstars in Thika. He is the founder of YUoung Rovers in Kibera. Noordin Taib, a former Kenya Football Federation (KFF) treasurer during Bekah’s time at Gor led in paying tribute to the fallen sports administrators.
Other tributes came from Issa Abdulfaraj of the Nubian Council of Elders. Noordin said that Bekah’s sporting history started as a youth player for Western Rangers in Kibera alongside soccer luminaries like William Chege Ouma, James Sianga and Joe Okeyo all who went on to play for various teams in the national league. Limuru Golf Club’s Yassin Awale eulogised Bekah with a statement. KGU described the insurance executive as “A man who gave his all to Golf and Vet.
Was Chairman of KGU in 1999. During Easter fondly referred to “Abramovich” Bekah, for his uncanny way of sighting talent and being able to woo it to Vet for Tannahill. As well as giving employment and support opportunity to golfers from all walks of life,” Bekah once served as chairman of national team Harambee Stars Management Board. He was the Managing Director of Sedgewick Insurance Brokers and was Chairman of the College of Insurance Management Board. Bekah was also in the FIFA Normalisation Commit. By DEREK OTIENO
