Time for winter sports. There
could not be any sport more for winter than Hockey. Playing it, following it,
watching it and listening to it. Lately listening to the hockey broadcasters ha
e gotten an Indian flavor to the sound of their voices probably because they
are Indian-Canadian. Just listen to Hockey Night in Canada that is the longest
running show, since the 1930’s of all male talking heads sports shows. They say
women like to talk a lot but I think when it comes to a male sports enthusiast,
they will win a sports talk challenge.
Canada has become more diverse
and has a growing Punjabis population. viedAlthough they don’t play hockey in
India, the people like it in Canada. The
Punjabi announcers put a new twist on everything in the game. Whenever a fight
breaks out they play Indian dance music. They sing short songs whenever a goal
is scored. When a player gets a call against him, he doesn’t go to the penalty
box but goes to the box of punishment. It was last season when one of their cat
calls went viral on the internet when the team won the Stanley Cup. The
announcers were invited to the championship festivities. They are becoming
famous for their antics.
Now people who don’t understand
Punjabi listen to the game and enjoy it just for the antics. The announcers
still fill the distinction of being dorkey walking status machines. A huge
population of the Siki people have adopted the game as their own. They have
become hockey fans. It is interesting that a population of people who look
different, speak a different language and listen to different music have a
sport in common that they love. Suddenly classmates are being accepted
wholeheartedly because of their common love of the sport.
The more the turban wearing
people knew, the more they assimilated into society until 911 came and the
terrorist era began. When those planes crashed through the World Trade Center
buildings and fell, instantly all that was achieved fell as well too. Even here
in America the fear of any Muslim in the country prevails. Donald Trump got
elected partly for his very vocal opinion to round up the turbans and get them
out of the country. All of a sudden these respected and loved sports announcers
were looked at like they were the enemy too. Anyone with the last name of Singh
approached the problem with dignity and education. They went on with their
lives peacefully and ever the so knowledgeable about their still love for
hockey.
It is odd even today to see a
person with a turban and a beard on television being a basic broadcaster but
for these guys on this show to look like that and to also be able to deliver a
fun informative satisfying hockey experience is simply amazing. They have been
more amazing than even the teams they discuss. Mr. Singh is probably the only
man to ever have his traditional wedding in a hockey rink.
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