Hockey warriors surging ahead in the Victorian Metro League

A hockey team represented by players of Punjabi-origin is eyeing semifinal entry at the Hockey Victoria’s Men’s Metro B – North/West Round.

Source: Supplied

A Melbourne based Punjabi hockey club has made a winning mark in the local Hockey league.

Hockey Victoria’s winter competition is currently underway.

Harveer Singh Gill is one of the many Punjabi players playing this year’s Metro league.

"Our team is mainly formed by Sikh players," he told SBS Punjabi an an interview.

“We are proud to be called the Sikh hockey warriors who are surging right ahead in the tournament."

“We started the tournament on a high note. While playing under the banner of United Khalsa hockey club we registered two straight wins.”

“But unfortunately, due to some inevitable circumstances, we had to change our nomination to Hume hockey club. We are now known as Hume 2.”

“With the team and point adjustment we’re placed 4th in the league. We look forward to play the semifinals.”

“With high spirits, we registered a big win in round 12 against Brunswick. We won 7-1.”

“With this victory, we have now safely secured 4th position. There is a marginal difference between us and the team on 3rd position.”

“Out of 12 matches played so far, we have won 7, lost 4 and 1 match has been forfeited.”

Source: Supplied

Harveer told SBS Punjabi that there is long history of Punjabis esp Sikhs playing hockey.

"Historically, Hockey has been played in Punjab since 1896. Punjab Hockey Association which was formed in 1925 was one of the States instrumental in the formation of Indian Hockey Federation,” adds Mr Gill.

“It is quite a historical fact that the representative Indian Army team that toured Australia and New Zealand in 1926 included five Sikhs who were then the backbone of Indian team.”

“Contribution of Sikhs in Hockey in India has always been immense and they have played in every Olympic Games since India entered the competition in 1928 and have been a part of every gold medal winning Indian Olympic team since then.”

“We take pride in mentioning all those Sikh players who have played hockey at international levels.”

Hume Hockey team will face Footscray in their next hockey league match.