By Our Hockey Correspondent SAN JOSE: The 2nd Guru Gobind Singh Hockey tournament was won by the San ‘Jose Kbalsa white, when they defeated San Jose Khalsa Blue Team by 3 goals to 1. As there were a few last minute withdrawals the number of participating teams was left to only five teams, Even the crowd was very thin at the Independence school ground here.
‘On Saturday September 2nd, four games. were played in which the S.J. White won all their game, while the S.J Blue managed just one, and Hayward and Huntington: Beach from LA lost all their matches. The Yuba team was nowhere to be seen. It seems they had something better going for them in Yuba City,
On Sunday, the start was delayed for considerable length of time and at last Yuba brothers made their appearance. They beat Hayward 20 in their opening game. In the final the two San Jose teams played each other. In another game the Whites outplayed the blues 31. Later in the night the organizers entertained the teams to an entertainment and dinner at the Roosevelt Hall in San Jose.
This tournament could have been better organized. Some of the visitors who were accompanied by their better halves, were overheard complaining bitterly about the lack of bathrooms. The games did not start on time and if tournaments have to be played in this manner, they do not serve the purpose. Infact things were a lot better last year. It is anybody’s guess as to why it was not so. Maybe some of the organizers should let it be known to all the hockey fans. On the other hand one observed the cool and controlled hockey of Rizwan Khan, who represented Hayward. And also an elderly player in the Huntington Beach team, who is easily in his late forties, but still going strong. If the sport hockey is to make headway in Northern California, all those involved with it have to rise above themselves and give in more to the game. Hopefully the mistakes will not be repeated next year. All the same, Kamaljit Gill, Deepi Sidhu and Tarlochan Sandhu did a commendable job. They will most certainly organize a better tournament next year and all of us are looking forward to it. Come on folks, you are all capable of doing the best. Just show us that in the 3rd Guru Gobind Singh tournament this trio will outlive the tournament that just concluded.
Right top: The S. J. Khalsa blue goalkeeper foils a brilliant move by LA forwards. Right below: Rajinder being helped off the field by team members after he sprained his ankle. Bottom: Rizwan Khan, a top player in action.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 8, 1989
