Everyone has a Sarjit story

By Frankie D’Cruz | FMT |

Five days before Sarjit Singh died, he called. He wanted to talk about what he described as one of the toughest periods of his life. But before he could get very far, his voice broke. Then came the sobbing.

For a moment, Sarjit, the former Malaysian hockey captain, two-time Olympian and national coach, could not continue. He asked me to speak to his wife, Kulwant Kaur. On speakerphone, she began to explain.

Sarjit had been in hospital for more than a month after being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia. He needed a bone marrow transplant, and the illness had taken a heavy toll.

Sarjit had hoped to meet on Friday, but I was unwell and unable to make it, so we agreed to meet on Monday afternoon instead.

Last night, Kulwant called again. This time, it was to say that Sarjit had died. He passed away at Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz at 10pm, aged 63, after what Kulwant said had been a painful few days.

“I am heartbroken that he went so soon after being hospitalised for about one and a half months,” she said. “He was not only a fantastic player and coach, but also a great friend to many, and a loving and caring husband and father.”

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