By Kishenjit Singh | Malaysia |
From the dusty fields of Alor Setar to the world’s grandest hockey arenas, the life of Mohindar Singh is a testament to discipline, humility and quiet excellence. As he turns 72 today (Jan 15), the former national captain’s journey stands not merely as a record of sporting achievement, but as a blueprint for how sport can shape character, career and community.
Born into modest circumstances in Kedah, Mohindar rose through sheer perseverance to become the first Malaysian Sikh to captain the national hockey team, a milestone he achieved in 1981. Comfortable across the backline as a right, left or centre half, he earned 110 international caps between 1973 and 1982 — an era when Malaysian hockey regularly tested itself against the world’s best.
His international résumé is formidable. Mohindar represented Malaysia at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, two World Cups — Buenos Aires in 1978 and Bombay in 1982 — and the 1978 Asian Games in Bangkok, where the national team secured a bronze medal. That podium finish carried special meaning: for the first time, five Sikh players — Mohindar, Awtar Singh Grewal, Avtar Singh Gill, Savinder Singh and Updesh Singh — featured together in a major tournament, a proud moment in Malaysian sporting history.
He was also part of Malaysia’s SEA Games campaigns, winning silver at the 1973 SEAP Games and gold medals in 1975, 1977 and 1979. Although selected for a second Olympic appearance, Mohindar missed the 1980 Moscow Games due to Malaysia’s boycott following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
Hockey did more than earn him medals. In 1980, the sport opened the door to a career with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM). Over 34 years of service, Mohindar rose to the rank of Superintendent, retiring from Bukit Aman’s Forfeiture of Property Narcotics Department — a rare dual career marked by excellence on the field and integrity off it.
The youngest of five siblings, Mohindar credits his late brothers, Gurdial Singh and Phag Singh, for steering him toward the sport. “My brother Phag played state hockey, and that inspired me. I was fortunate to go one step further — to play for Malaysia, serve as vice-captain to Ow Soon Kooi, and later captain the national side,” he told Asia Samachar.
Retirement from elite hockey in 1982 did not dim his competitive spirit. He continued playing for the police, state teams and veterans’ sides, most recently winning gold at the Asian Masters Over-60 tournament in Hong Kong last November. He is currently among 27 players training for the Over-65 Masters World Cup in Breda, Netherlands, this August.
Now a grandfather of three, Mohindar remains deeply invested in the future of Malaysian hockey — particularly the presence of Sikh players at the highest level. While noting their recent absence, he welcomed encouraging signs at the recent SEA Games and the call-up of young talents to the national junior setup.
Fit, focused and quietly proud, Mohindar Singh’s story reminds us that greatness is not only measured in trophies, but in lives shaped, standards set, and the enduring belief that discipline and humility still matter — on the pitch and beyond.
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ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. You can leave your comments at our website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We will delete comments we deem offensive or potentially libelous. You can reach us via WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 or email: asia.samachar@gmail.com. For obituary announcements, click here
Well done Ji
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