Jack Simonian

Jack Simonian played hockey for Kenya at the 1960, 1964 and 1968 Olympics. He was named goalkeeper of the tournament in 1968 at Mexico City, but hockey is not the sport for which he is best remembered in Kenya.

Simonian was considered a legendary Safari Rally driver in his native land. He competed in rally races during his hockey career. Simonian attended St. Mary’s School where he played both hockey and tennis. His long-time career was as an aeronautic engineer with East African Airways. Simonian did his national service with the Kenyan Regiment beginning in 1955.

After leaving the Army, Simonian joined Parklands Sports Club in Nairobi and played hockey in the Kenya European Sports Hockey Association League. With Parklands he won the Craig Cup in 1960 against Nakuru Athletic Club, and represented Parklands at hockey, tennis and snooker. In 1962 Simonian moved to Silk Union Nairobi and played with them for a decade, helping them win multiple titles, including the M. R. D’Souza Gold Cup, Laton Brothers Cup, Asian Sports Association Cup, Golden Jubilee Kenya Cup, Desmesh Cup, Ujjager Singh Cup, Kishen Singh Cup, Joseph and Sons Shield, Karam Singh/Hira Singh Cup, and the Nairobi League Championship.

Simonian was born in the Sudan, but his parents were Armenian nationals who settled in Egypt and then moved to Sudan. They emigrated to Kenya in 1948, and Jack Simonian lived in Kenya until his later years when he settled in England. He died in Australia while on holiday there celebrating his 84th birthday.