Born on May 8, 1959,  Mumbai's MM Somaya shone in athletics and football fields before making an global impact on hockey in the 1980s much like a colossus. His father Muthanna too played hockey, represented Services.  Som, as he is known in the hockey circle, was an intelligent centre-half, setting the pace of the game, distributing the ball with clever mind. He hails from Coorg region of Karnataka but lived and played for hockey all through his career for Bombay. He took part in three Olympics (1980-1988), leading the side in his last at Seoul.

He was awarded with sporting honour Arjuna in 1985 before the Seoul Olympics.

Highly educated, he is also a columnist, rose to become top executive with Bharat Petroleum Ltd.

He is now retired and settled in Coorg.

TODAY IS HIS BIRTHDAY, YOU CAN SEND YOUR GREETINGS IN THE COMMENTS SECTION