Rajwinder Singh
Encyclopedia
Rajwinder Singh, full name Rajvinder Singh Rai from Khusropur, Julhander, Punjab, India, was one of the top Indian internationals during his peak. He scored a solo goal for India against Pakistan during the semi-final of the Hockey World Championships in Barcelona in 1971.
Prior to playing in the World Cup, Rajvinder, who graduated from Ludhiana Agricultural University, represented the all Indian University hockey team for three years, touring the country and abroad. It was whilst he was a university student that he represented India, and received a roll of honour from his University, making him the first student to receive such an honour.
There he met with Paolo Bonomi from the Italian Hockey Federation, who was so impressed with his skill and speed that he invited Rajvinder to play for his club in Italy - Geo Gomma which became known as Paolo Bonomi. There he won the hearts of the Italian nation by his modest approach to the game and life in general. There he won four Italian National Championships; three Italian Cup
s; three Italian Indoor Championships and was five times the National Italian Leagues Top Scorer. For the Italians he was what Pelé
was to football.
Having left India for Italy, Rajvinder's younger brother Amarjit Singh Rana
(Amarjet Singh Rai) followed in his footsteps and represented India several times and played the Olympics in Moscow in 1980
when India won the Gold.
Prior to playing in the World Cup, Rajvinder, who graduated from Ludhiana Agricultural University, represented the all Indian University hockey team for three years, touring the country and abroad. It was whilst he was a university student that he represented India, and received a roll of honour from his University, making him the first student to receive such an honour.
There he met with Paolo Bonomi from the Italian Hockey Federation, who was so impressed with his skill and speed that he invited Rajvinder to play for his club in Italy - Geo Gomma which became known as Paolo Bonomi. There he won the hearts of the Italian nation by his modest approach to the game and life in general. There he won four Italian National Championships; three Italian Cup
Coppa Italia
The Coppa Italia is an Italian football annual cup competition. Its first edition was held in 1922, but the second champions were not crowned until 1936. Roma and Juventus lead the way with nine wins. Roma has contested more finals, 16, while Torino and Juventus follow with 13...
s; three Italian Indoor Championships and was five times the National Italian Leagues Top Scorer. For the Italians he was what Pelé
Pelé
However, Pelé has always maintained that those are mistakes, that he was actually named Edson and that he was born on 23 October 1940.), best known by his nickname Pelé , is a retired Brazilian footballer. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time...
was to football.
Having left India for Italy, Rajvinder's younger brother Amarjit Singh Rana
Amarjit Singh Rana
Amarjit Singh Rana is a former field hockey player from India. He was part of the Indian hockey team which won the gold medal in hockey in the 1980 Summer Olympics at Moscow.-References:...
(Amarjet Singh Rai) followed in his footsteps and represented India several times and played the Olympics in Moscow in 1980
1980 Summer Olympics
The 1980 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event celebrated in Moscow in the Soviet Union. In addition, the yachting events were held in Tallinn, and some of the preliminary matches and the quarter-finals of the football tournament...
when India won the Gold.