Interview with Mr. KULDEEP SINGH

Deputy President of Singapore Hockey Federation.

 Born in 1955 in small village Braham Pura district Amritsar Punjab , he is considered in Singapore  as a man of vision, character and commitment who carries a mission in his mind to have over-all growth of sports in Singapore particularly HOCKEY, He is none other than Mr KULDEEP SINGH Deputy President of Singapore Hockey Federation. Apart from doing his duty as Deputy Assistant commissioner with Singapore Police he is doing tireless efforts to make Hockey as most popular game in Singapore. During FIH Mens Junior World Cup in Singapore www.punjabsports.com  Journalist Mr Kulwant Singh Sohal interviewed him about his plans to promote Hockey in Singapore.

Q. Being Deputy President of SHF , you are doing tireless efforts to promote Hockey. What is the inspiration force behind these efforts?.

ANS-  Since my birth place is PUNJAB (INDIA) where Hockey runs in 90% peoples blood, and it is well known fact that what is in blood reflects in action. Secondly Mrs Annabel Pennefather Dillon is president of SHF and looks after the players like her own children. This is the main inspiration.

Q.What about Singapore Hockey Federation Set Up?

ANS-  Singapore Hockey Federation works under the guidance of Singapore Sports Council which is autonomous body works directly under Ministry of Sports Singapore.

Q. How many affiliated clubs or Association are there who helps in promoting Hockey.?

ANS-  Since there are 38 associations who are lending helping hand to promote Hockey but prominent are Singapore Recreation Club, Ceylon Sports Club, Crescent Hockey Club, Singapore Khalsa Association, Singapore India Association, Singapore School Sports Council, Singapore Cricket Club Singapore Police Sports Association .

Q.  Is there any time frame strategies of Singapore Hockey Federation to promote Hockey?

ANS-  As on today as per guideline given to us by Ministry of Sports we have Three Level Strategies.

Ist Level is PRIMARY LEVEL  

At this level thrust is on to create love for game of Hockey and to create an atmosphere so that school children should adopt game as Fun Hockey. To achieve this we are motivating different school management and we have got very good response in the sense that more than 30 schools teams  have started playing  Hockey

2nd Level is SECONDARY LEVEL

At this level we  select players of different age group like U-14, U-16, U-18, U-21, and then under the guidance of trained Coaches we try to develop and refine more advanced Hockey skills. At this level Co-Curricular Advisory Board who works under Ministry of Education also helps in promoting Hockey by conducting School level Tournament.

3rd Level  is  ELITE LEVEL

At this level main thrust is on National Team.

Q. What are the main sources of Funds to run SHF?

ANS-  In Singapore all federation works are direct control of Singapore Sports Council which works under Ministry of Sports. We get Financial Help from concern ministry through Sports Council.

Q.  Is there any check of Ministry of Sports on SHF?

ANS- Ministry of Sports, Singapore with the help of Singapore Sports Council has drafted a Policy namely KPI (Key Performance Indicator) through which Council measure the performance of each Federation. If it is not upto mark then council take decision to make sure that Goal is being achieved by every Federation.

Q.  Are you involving Corporate Houses of Singapore in hockey  for  Financial support?

ANS-  Yes already we are in touch with couple of Big Houses to support Singapore Hockey Federation to achieve the Goal.

Q.  What about India Hockey?

ANS-  Hockey which is the National  Game of India is in Bad Shape. Although India dominated world Hockey for Two to Three Decades but now lot has to done to regain the lost glory. I wish a great success to Hockey India Management and its affiliated in their efforts to uplift Indian Hockey.