The country’s hockey fraternity gathered at the Indian Sports Club in Blantyre for a memorial service of the departed Hockey Association of Malawi (Ham) president, Tochi Gill.
Gill died on February 24 in India where he went for medical treatment.
Ham Vice President, Khrishna Achuthan, said during the ceremony that Gill’s death is a big blow to the sport as he loved the game passionately and invested a lot in it.
“We knew each other at Chichiri Secondary School when we were both 13 years old. We had been friends and brothers since that time.
“Gill dedicated his time to the development of hockey and his name cannot be erased from the history of the game,” Achuthan said.
Gill’s son, Tinu, said the Gill family was happy with the honour bestowed on their late father through the ceremony.
“We did not know that our father was this good and had all these friends. His death is not the end of our family’s commitment to hockey in Malawi. We will ensure that we continue contributing to the development of the sport so that it continues developing in line with his wishes,” he said.
During the ceremony, Ham asked Malawi National Council of Sports, whose Executive Secretary, George Jana, was in attendance, to consider honouring Gill by naming the National Hockey Stadium at Chichiri after Gill.
In response, Jana said the government would look into the matter.
“Gill really deserves the honour. However, there are certain processes that have to be followed when naming government facilities. So what I can say is that we have heard the request and we will look into it,” he said.
During the inaugural National Sports Awards held at Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe early this month, Gill was honoured with the Best Award for Non-Citizens
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