Yesterday I had the opportunity to attend the open house of the brand new Tiger Jeet Singh Public School on Yates Drive. I was there on behalf of the Milton Community Policing Committee to hand out information to parents, teachers and students about community safety in the area. Click on the link if you would like more information on the committee and what we do in the community.
In front of a packed auditorium, Principal Rick Nodwell (formerly of Chris Hadfield Public School) announced the “team” as he called it of teachers that will shape the minds of young students at the new facility. Tiger Jeet Singh, his wife, Tiger Ali Singh (in crutches…get well soon!) and other members of the family were front and centre, beaming with pride as Rick made the introductions.
Similar to a rockstar, Tiger Jeet Singh made his entrance into the room followed by kids eager to say hello, shake his hand and ask him questions. He made sure he stayed around for every autograph, picture and high five. A reporter from Japan was actually flown in to cover this occasion, which goes to show the impact they have made internationally.
Its a great acomplishment for the family and they are very much a part of the school. Just recently they presented the Milton District Hospital a cheque for $35,000 raised at Tigerfest 2010 this past summer.
The official opening of the school will be on October 22nd and look to the sky that day for a special event (I dont want to give it away)
Congratulations once again to Tiger for this great honour and thank you for being a part of the Milton community.
With a new Milton, Ontario public school named after him opening this fall, Tiger Jeet Singh is out preaching his message: “Stay in school, say no to drugs, stay Tiger-fit.”
“That’s the three things I’m saying, I’m preaching all over. I can’t go everywhere, but the demand is so strong we are getting invitations to schools, temples,” the 65-year-old Singh said.
By now, the story Jagit Singh Hans, who came to Canada from India with nothing, became an internationally-famous wrestler, and then an important land developer and philanthropist in his adopted country is well known, thanks in part to a widely-aired documentary, Tiger!
To celebrate the school and other blessings, Singh is teaming with his son, former WWE star Tiger Ali Singh, and Squared Circle Training, to promote an all-day wrestling event, TigerFest 2010, as a part of the Downtown Milton Street Festival on Saturday, June 5th. The community’s top amateur high school grapplers will compete during the day, followed a free pro wrestling show at 5 p.m., featuring Sonjay Dutt, Robbie MacAllister of the Highlanders, Greg Valentine, and Steve Corino. Proceeds will go to the Milton District Hospital Foundation. (More info at www.tigerjeetsingh.com.)
Sidelined by concussion issues in 2001, Tiger Ali, 37, has only competed in a handful of bouts in Japan since. He will be strapping on the boots for a hometown crowd.
“We thought, you know what, we have that celebrity, let’s use it for drawing in the people from outside of Milton, from all southern Ontario,” said Tiger Ali Singh. “From what we’ve heard, we have people traveling in, flying in, because this will be the first time I think I’ve fought since the formerly-known SkyDome with WWE in the late ’90s.”
If it seems like the Singhs have come out of seclusion, that is because they have. Tiger Ali’s concussion, suffered in Puerto Rico while employed by WWE, was his third in nine months. It resulted in a long struggle back and a lot of resentment — and a lawsuit — against the wrestling company.
“Forget about wrestling, I was just trying to get my life back health-wise. It took about three years, and then when I finally did, during that three years, I was just mellowing in sorrow, getting depressed,” Tiger Ali admitted. “I was very, very fortunate to have a loving family, parents, great friends, support group, that during that time of healing health-wise, I also moved on with my life and went back into the family foundation of what business was, which was land development and real estate.
“By the time my health came around, I was so engrossed in it, that I really didn’t have any time to look at pro wrestling.”
At least in North America. The Singhs attempted to lead a tour of India, that fell apart at the last minute with all the wrestlers already in the country. Protecting the image of Tiger Jeet Singh was important once the backers of the tour bailed, said Tiger Ali. “In India, we couldn’t compromise. That’s why we took the bulls by the horn when some of the promoters left, and Dad held a press conference, we sat with all the proper authorities and we made sure, out of pocket, that we paid each and every talent guarantees, even though the promoters had left.
“Reputation is everything, what goes around comes around, we wanted to make sure if were coming back to do events again, that none of the talent would be apprehensive.”
In mid-May, the Singhs went to their first fan fest, in New Jersey and were overwhelmed.
“We weren’t expecting anybody to want our autographs. The reason? I never wrestled in the States, and Junior, he’d been out of the business for so many years. People forget. But it was unbelievable,” said Tiger Jeet. “The crowd was amazing, and the people, all the old memories, and especially my old, old buddies.”
One of those friends was Nikolai Volkoff. “He closed his booth. He was selling pictures,” recalled Tiger Jeet. “He came and gave me a big hug. ‘Tiger, tell me something, is that your second life? Shit, you look so young!’ Then I told him, ‘Human beings never get old. The only reason you get old is if you have some stress or problem. God is great, we are fine and we are happy.'”
Giving back has always been important to the Singhs, and TigerFest is their second fundraising effort alongside Troy Newton, who Tiger Ali met more than a decade ago through Owen Hart. Though they were all from Milton, they never kept in touch.
Reacquainted at the Milton Walk of Fame ceremony, where Tiger Jeet Singh and Tiger Ali Singh were honoured alongside other names such as “Mr. Dressup” Ernie Coombs, astronaut Chris Hadfield and NHL players and referees John Tonelli, Peter McDuffe, Enio Sclisizzi, Mike Kaszycki, Leon Stickle and Bruce Hood, Newton recruited the Singhs to help with his Christmas Toy Drive.
“That bug hit us at that time,” said Tiger Ali. “We’ve always been there, dad and I, whenever a charity called.”
Always well-dressed, often sporting massive watches and rings, Tiger Jeet is honest about his wealth.
“They ask, ‘How much your net worth?’ I say, ‘Enough,'” he said. “I’m living very simple. I like to do a lot of charity work, like helping children. And God is great, he give us his blessing, like I never expected in my life.”
As everyone knows who reads my blog, Saturday June 5th 2010 will be a huge day in Milton.
It will be the 4th annual Milton Street Fest and as with every year, this year looks to be the best lineup so far. Music bands as far as the eye can see will be in attendance Saturday at a number of different locations. These lineups can be found here. From rock to country to cover bands … whatever your taste there will be something there for everyone in the whole family. For more information on the full days events go to www.tigerjeetsingh.com
And speaking of family entertainment, the first annual TIGERFEST will be held in front of Troy’s Diner in an all day event. All the proceeds of Tigerfest will be going directly to the Milton District Hospital Foundation.
Later in the evening there will be live pro-wrestling matches which will include the following wrestlers.
The “King of Old School” and former NWA, AWA & ECW World Champion Steve Corino – Former TNA wrestlers Sonjay Dutt and Tyson Dux – Former WWE Superstar Robbie McAllister – Former WWE/F & NWA Legend Greg “The Hammer” Valentine – and finally internationally renowned … former WWE Superstar and Milton Walk of Fame member … our own TIGER ALI SINGH!
The “LIVING LEGEND” … an internationally known superstar … and Milton Walk of Fame Member TIGER JEET SINGH will also be in attendance!
According to Troy Newton of Troy’s Diner, the wrestlers will be available for autographs during intermission and after the show and they will stay as long as needed to ensure everyone who wants an autograph gets one. All wrestlers will be signing the event program for $5. They will also be selling TIGERFEST water, T-Shirts and lanyards during the day and ALL MONIES will be dontated to the MDHF.
King of Old School Former NWA World Champion Steve Corino
Former TNA wrestler "The Guru" Sonjay Dutt
Former TNA wrestler Tyson Dux
Former WWE Superstar and Highlander Robbie McAllister
Former NWA US Champion/Tag Team Champion, Former WWE/F Tag Team & Intercontinental Champion and WWE HALL OF FAMER Greg "The Hammer" Valentine
THE LIVING LEGEND & Milton Walk of Fame Inaugural Inductee TIGER JEET SINGH
Former WWE Superstar & Milton Walk of Fame Inaugral member MILTON ONTARIO'S OWN TIGER ALI SINGH
As the late great Billy Red Lyons would tell you… “Dontch dare miss it!”
Saturday June 5th 2010, Downtown Milton @ Troy’s Diner! All day at the street festival!
Saturday June 5th, 2010 will be the 4th annual Milton Street Festival. The current incarnation of this event started back in 2007 as the master committee of the Milton 150th Anniversary celebrations made this one of the pillar events of the year. The response has been overwhelming and the Town of Milton continues the tradition with another great event.
This year will be nothing less than amazing. Last year over 20,000 people came to Milton’s downtown core to take part in many events, games, and live music at all ends of Main Street.
Troy’s Diner proudly announces that it will be hosting the first ever Tigerfest this year.
It will be an all day long event starting at 12pm with Dynamo Wrestling demonstrations. From 1pm to 4pm watch Milton’s own EC Drury wrestling tournament showcase its skills. You will also see FIREPOWER Crossfit Fitness Demo and later on that evening, live pro wrestling will be the main event. Matches to be announced soon.
If youve been in Milton, oh lets say 10 seconds or longer, you know of Troy and Troy’s Diner.
Troy is a true example of someone who gives back to the community with his sponsorship of numerous town events. He’s got a heart of gold.
Today Breakfast Television visited his location at the Best Western in Milton to shore up support for his Salvation Army campaign. Milton noteables were there including Milton Walk of Fame members Tiger Jeet Singh and Tiger Ali Singh as well as the incomperable Walter Gretzky.
Here is the link for BT’s coverage of the event. I couldnt make it there this morning but it was very well attended. Make sure you check out www.troysdiner.com for more information on his locations and is continued support of our local community.
Event to be held on Thursday October 29th at 7pm at Milton Town Hall
Was it really that long ago? It seems like forever when the 150th Anniversary master committee started back in 2006 to come up with some ideas to commemorate Milton’s 150th anniversary. I was honoured to be part of that committee and throughout 2007 there were a number of events to promote the town and celebrate such a substantial achievement as being 150 years old.
During that year we had the first street festival in the summer, which has now grown into an annual event. There was also Milton’s Amazing Race, an idea born from and organized by the committee chair Karin Muller which received rave reviews as dozens of teams raced across Milton to answer questions, pick up clues and win prizes.
One of the definite highlights of my time on that committee was being part of the creation of the Milton Walk of Fame. With the help of the Milton Historical Society and countless volunteers, we came up with a list of 27 people from Milton, who through the years reached a high level or national and or international success in their fields. Many people are unaware that there are many famous Miltonians in different fields and the cream rose to the top with our first class in the Walk of Fame.
You can see the full list of inductees here . Many of these people are well known, but their connection to Milton came as a shock to many. Mr Dressup, Ernie Coombs was a big surprise to quite a few people along with Dr John Wallace, one of the cofounders of Blue Cross. There are many Milton favourites such as Lt. Col. Chris Hadfield, PL Robertson, John Tonelli, Peter McDuffe and international wrestling icons Tiger Jeet Singh and his son Tiger Ali Singh.
These great Miltonians were announced at the Canada Day Celebrations of 2007 to quite the bit of fan fare in a day I wont soon forget. Here is the brochure from the Canada Day event that lists each inductee and their bio of what made them the first members of Milton’s Walk of Fame.
By now, the story Jagit Singh Hans, who came to Canada from India with nothing, became an internationally-famous wrestler, and then an important land developer and philanthropist in his adopted country is well known, thanks in part to a widely-aired documentary, Tiger!
