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Gian Singh Umpired Hockey at the 1956 Melbourne and
1960 Rome Olympic Games.
Born 1st August 1908 in Mehlowala, Sialkot district (now Pakistan).
Gian distinguished himself as a sports organiser, sports writer and international
hockey umpire.
He was Honorary Secretary, Baluchistan Hockey Association (1943 to 1945)
and held the following offices:
Honorary Treasurer, Delhi Football and Hockey Association – 1951
Honorary Secretary, Delhi Football Referees’ Board – 1953
Honorary Secretary and Vice President, Delhi Hockey Umpire’s Association.
Manager, Delhi teams for the National Football Championshipa – 1950
– 1952.
Umpired at the Privateers International Field Hockey Festival in New
York.
Gian umpired matches in Bermuda, and coached umpires in Malaya, Ceylon
and Spain.
He was a member of the Privateers Club of U.S.A. since 1961 and was honoured
at the White House with a photograph with President Eisenhower on November
10, 1960.
As an author his contribution to sports is the publication of ‘How
to Play Hockey’, ‘Hockey Umpiring’, ‘Hockey Quiz’
which was also published in Japanese and Spanish.
Gian was a recognised international coach. He coached the Thailand National
team during the 1978 Asian Games at Bangkok. He coached the national teams
of Malaysia, Spain and the USA as well.
He conducted coaching and seminars not only in India but also in Malaysia,
Sri Lanka and Spain.
Gian’s son, Kuku Walia is also an international hockey umpire.
Gian Singh passed away in Delhi aged 94 years.
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