Faster , Higher, Stronger

Ajit Singh Gill, who was part of singapore's hockey team at the Melbourne Olympics is a true sportsman.he believes in respecting your body and game.

At 89, his charisma is still magnetic making people stop in their tracks to chat with the pint sized superman called Ajit Singh Gill. This was evident when the former Olympian, who was part of Singapore’s national hockey team that went to Melbourne in 1956, was posing for photographs at the National Gallery where curious tourists stopped to find out more about him.

Not one for false modesty, Gill is proud of the fact that he is a true Sikh who respects his body and mind. “I have never smoked or drunk in my entire life. And that’s how I have remained healthy,” he said. While younger golfers choose to have a caddy, Gill walks the course and has a handicap of 29. Golf comes easily to the short corner specialist who enjoyed scoring goals. “After all it is about the swing,” said the ocatgenarian swinging his hockey stick.

Born in Kuala Lumpur, Gill played hockey and cricket for the State of Selangor before joining the Singapore team. Though he retired as a Senior Assistant of a secondary school almost three decades ago, he keeps himself busy but remains passionate about sports.

India Se: You were among the first to represent Singapore at the Olympics. What led you to take up hockey in particular?