The duo are unheralded heroes of India at Tokyo, where Indian hockey took rebirth. Both Javed Sheikh and Raghu Prasad held Indian laurels high officiating as FIH Umpires. It was the duo’s second successive Olympic assignment too. Their feat did not go unnoticed, as Delhi based Jawaharl Lal Nehru Hockey Tournament Society, a vibrant organization since inception in 1964, will be honouring them today.
Kukoo Walia, Secretary General of the Society, informs staging of a friendly match between Hockey Academy (Sonepat ) and Madhya Pradesh Women Hockey Academy (Gwalior) to celebrate the National sports today on 29th August at 3 PM at Shivaji Stadium, New Delhi. Both these two umpires will be presented each Rs.50,000 as a token respect for their unique feat.
Javed Sheikh and Raghu Prasad (r) at Tokyo
Besides, two Olympians Neha Goyal and Nisha Warsi, who will be playing for the Sonepat Academy in the exhibition match and the duo’s mentor Pritam Rani Siwach will be also presented a purse.
Neha and Nisha will be presented a purse of Rs 50,000 each while Pritam with Rs 25,000.
Its well known that the Indian women’s hockey team has won the heart of the nation with their stellar show at Tokyo and their success are still being recognized and rewarded.
JLNHTS has been in the forefront of honouring hockey souls over time and space. A decade ago, it collected a purse of Rs.8 lacs and presented it to the needy wife of triple Olympian VJ Peter. A few years before that 1952 Olympic medallist Hardayal Singh was presented a purse by the Society. A saviour act in the form of purse was also offered to another needy player Joginer Singh ‘Giddy’.
The Society, of which Kukoo Walia is an engine room, always appreciated Umpires and technical staff time and again. Kukoo Walia is also credited for grooming many umpires.
Kukoo Walia (l) with Harendra Singh
Says Javed Sheikh: “In 2002, Kukoo Walia saw my raw umpiring talent in Mumbai, appointed me in the prestigious Sr. Nehru Cup and polished my umpiring skills thereon. As icing on the cake, he posted me for the finals too. I did not look back after that kick start”.
Raghu Prasad too reminisces his early days: “Undoubtedly it was Kukoo Walia Sir who recognised both of us as potential umpires, showed the umpiring path — and here we are where we are. I take this opportunity to thank my senior umpiring colleagues, KSHA and definitely our beloved humble sports personality Shri Kannan Krishnamurthy sir… So happy and honoured that Nehru Hockey Society has recognised our efforts, dedication towards our umpiring and felicitating us on the occasion of National Sports Day”.
Both Javed and Raghu feel the Society’s gesture will motivate budding umpires to focus and progress in their chosen field.