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When a family thinks, eats, drinks, sleeps and dreams hockey
Hockey is a family affair for former Canadian player Gurjit Sidhu
Sidhu family at Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur. / Prabhjot Paul Singh
For former Canadian Hockey player, Gurjit Sidhu’s family, hockey is more than a passion. Each and every member of this family lives by what has come to be known as a sport of Punjabis.
Before he moved to Canada, Gurjit played for Hong Kong. “When I moved to Canada from Hong Kong, hockey moved with me,” the proud father of Mansarovar Sidhu and Jyothiswaoop Sidhu, who are members of the 18-member Canadian hockey team, said.
His sons are currently competing in the 13th Junior FIH Hockey World Cup being played at Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur.
Besides Sidhu brothers, there are 10 other players of Indian descent in the Canadian team. Though Canada has lost both its games in the tournament so far, these players have set their eyes on future as next June, Tamanawis in British Columbia, will host the Pan American tournament.
Family Affair
Not only Gurjit Singh, but also his wife, brother, uncle and sister-in-law have accompanied the national team to Kuala Lumpur.
“We all travel wherever Mansarovar and Jyothi Swaroop go to play. Jyothi Swaroop has already donned colors for the Canadian senior team as he was chosen for the last edition of the Commonwealth Games.
The Abbotsford brothers, Mansarovar and Jyothi Swarup - started playing field hockey at a young age.
“Our dad came from Hong Kong and since we were kids, old enough to run around, he put sticks in our hands, and since then it’s been history,” says Mansarovar Sidhu as he is joined by his parents and other family members after the game against Korea.
He and Jyothi followed older brother Amrit’s footsteps. Amrit represented Canada in the Youth Olympics in China in 2014 and was rated as one of the best strikers. He scored 14 goals in the Youth Olympics. Health issues have, however, forced him out of international hockey.
“He would have been a top start for Canadian hockey,” rues father Gurjit Sidhu adding that he is still playing for his Club.
“Sidhu brothers are really skilful players,” Geoff Matthews, head coach of Canada, said. “Jyothi actually has some senior caps already for Canada. He travelled with the senior team to the Commonwealth Games last year, and both are part of our leadership group.”
Accompanying the Sidhu family is Gurmeet Pannu, father of Arshmeet Pannu, another member of the Canadian team.
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