Manindergit Singh - Immovable as the "Rock of Gibraltar"

Maninderjit Singh or popularly known as Mike had been the "solid rock" defender of the Malaysian hockey team for years till the end of the 2002 World Cup.. It has been told that he was seldom substituted as a defender during a game for years, other than getting injured or spending time at the "sin bin". This strong and friendly Punjabi had always given his best for Malaysian hockey and on his retirement, he played a major role in MHF's Disciplinary Committee under the chairmanship of the late Datuk Ho Koh Chye.

Like many former hockey internationals, he is proud of his time with Malaysian hockey and he believes that when he retired, it becomes a paramount duty of the existing internationals to carry the "flame" and keep Malaysian hockey aflame with success. When the rot in Malaysian hockey set in and the continual dismal performance of the various national teams, Mike became a " nucleus" with Mirnawan Nawawi, K Enbaraj and Azlin Fairuz to champion the cause for the relevant parties intervention to arrest the deteriorating standards of Malaysian hockey.

These 4 with other former hockey internationals created the 102 Group by petitioning to the relevant parties to intervene because of the falling standard of Malaysian hockey. According to sources, Mike played a key role and is considered as a main pillar in the whole exercise. It has been told that he was very focused and single minded in wanting to see change in Malaysian hockey. A team man, he apparently slogged hard with the other 3 to put together the so called "road map" i.e over 100 pages of proposal for the rejuvenation of Malaysian hockey. To keep everyone informed they even set-up a dedicated blog to communicate the pertinent issues.

Those who were present at the presentation undertaken by the 102 Group to the Sports Minister and also to MHF, indicate that Mike was in his element. His presentation was clear, concise and direct to the point. The post presentation discussion praises Mike on his sterling performance and many could not believe what they saw. Apparently, this side of Mike is not known to many.

The gossips further highlighted the fact that he refused a number of positions offered to him in MHF for the MHF elections. The reason given was his involvement in 102 Group and the fact that it should not be seen as a vehicle to seek positions in MHF. Although for all purposes the 102 Group came to a demise after its presentation to the Sports Minister, Mike still held on the principle that it would be ethically wrong to seek positions in MHF. Indeed when he was named into the Wawasan Committee, he was not at all keen to take up the position. He was offered a number of other appointed positions and he flatly refused them. He had a number of discussions with people over the Wawasan Committee and he took the view he would remain in it if the 102 Group's "road map" is adopted as a basis of change. The way things are heading in MHF, it would seem Mike would be also contemplating a departure from the Wawasan Committee.

Many of his friends believe that he is guided by certain key principles and holding of positions without a reason is not one of them. Further his main principles are so well moulded plus entrenched that it has made him like the immovable "Rock of Gibraltar" and asking him to compromise is expecting the island of Gibraltar to float away. His love for Malaysian hockey is undying but he believes the methodology to achieve results must be well defined without any compromise of principles. This probably makes him a misunderstood person in the hockey fraternity.