10.09.1933–12.04.2026

Sukhdev (Sukhi) Singh Rao, a pioneering figure in London club hockey and a central presence in the development of the game among Britain’s South Asian community, passed away peacefully on Sunday 12 April 2026 at the age of 92.

Born in Mombasa, Kenya, on 10 September 1933, Rao moved to the United Kingdom in 1954 and quickly established himself in hockey. A composed and reliable full back, noted for his positional awareness and reading of the game, he played for Brighton Students between 1954 and 1958, captaining the side in the 1957–58 season, and represented Brighton Technical College.

 

 

His senior club career took him through Slough Hockey Club (1964–1968), Teddington Hockey Club (1968–1970) and Bedfordshire Eagles (1970–1971), before he joined Hampstead Hockey Club on 8 October 1971. At Hampstead, he became a key figure in the 1st XI, captaining the side for two successive seasons (1972–73 and 1973–74) during a formative period in the London Hockey League.

Established in 1969, the League was among the first organised competitive club leagues in England, and Rao was part of the generation of players who helped define its early character and standard. A notable moment came during the 1973–74 season when Hampstead faced Spencer Hockey Club, with both sides captained by players of Sikh heritage born in Mombasa. Hampstead and Spencer are two well established hockey clubs, with Hampstead being established in 1894 and Spencer a decade later in 1905. The match, which ended in a hard-fought 0–0 draw, reflected both the competitiveness of the league and the growing influence of Sikh players within it. Rao continued to represent Hampstead’s 1st XI until the 1976–77 season.

He later played for Cambridge City between 1978 and 1981, extending his involvement in the game at a high level.

 

 

Rao’s influence extended significantly through his long association with the London Indians Hockey Club, for whom he played from 1963 to 2000 and captained between 1968 and 1974. During this period, he helped establish the side as a highly competitive and respected team, often facing county and international opposition. Contemporary accounts from within the club’s history describe him as a hard-working leader who set exceptionally high standards and was widely admired. Under his captaincy, selection for London Indians was regarded as an honour, reflecting the strength and reputation of the side during its formative years. Contemporary reports in The Times from the period reflect the growing profile and competitiveness of the London Hockey League, as well as the standing of London Indians under Rao’s captaincy, who regularly faced England and county opposition.

 

 

 

He was also the founder, organiser and captain of Kijana Hockey Club, a touring side established in 1958. Named after the Swahili word for “youth,” Kijana provided opportunities for promising young players, many of whom progressed to county and international hockey. The team toured extensively across England and Europe, reflecting Rao’s commitment to developing the next generation of players.

 

 

A dedicated and selfless organiser, Rao was widely respected across the hockey community. His commitment extended far beyond the pitch. Former teammate Gurmukh Soor recalled that players would travel long distances to meet Rao, who would then drive them on to matches and back again, often making for long and demanding days centred entirely around hockey. Weekends were devoted to the game, and Rao took personal responsibility for supporting and developing those around him.

He was also among the pioneers who helped establish an Asian-influenced style of play in UK hockey during the 1960s and 1970s, contributing to the evolution and diversity of the modern game. Rao’s career forms part of the wider documented history of Sikh participation in hockey in England, reflecting the growing influence of players from East Africa and the Indian diaspora during this period.

Those who played with and under him recall both his qualities as a player and as a leader. Pindhi Plaha described him as “a calm, composed, steady, no-nonsense full back … a very good leader … highly respected within the hockey circuit,” while Gurmukh Soor remembered him as “a deceptively strong tackler… a master tactician… amongst the best defenders in the game.”

In later years, Rao remained closely connected to hockey and contributed to the preservation of its history, maintaining a long correspondence with ‘Sikhs in Hockey’ and sharing his knowledge and recollections, including during research into London League 1st X1 in 2023.

He came from a family with strong hockey connections; his cousin, Tajinder Singh Rao, represented Kenya at the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games.

Sukhdev Singh Rao will be remembered as a player, leader, organiser and mentor whose contribution to club and representative hockey in London – and to the wider development of the game – was both significant and enduring.

By Dil Bahra

Dil Bahra is a hockey historian, founder of Sikhs in Hockey, and a founding trustee of The Hockey Museum (2011–2018).

 

Personal reflections and funeral arrangements

The Hockey Museum trustee Tochi Panesar recalls Sukhi Rao with affection:

“Sukhi had hockey in his blood and his life always revolved round hockey. He was my captain at Hampstead Hockey Club in the mid-1970s as well as with the majestic London Indians for whom his dedication was immense. I always tried to stay in contact with Sukhi and last met him in November 2021 [pictured] when Barford Tigers Hockey Club acknowledged London Indians in their match programme.”

Sukhdev Singh Rao’s funeral will be on Monday 11 May 2026 at Loughborough Crematorium at 4:15pm.