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Hockey bonanza

by Elmo Rodrigopulle

Hockey in the country is not what it was like in the 60s and 70s. At that time the game was at its best and it also produced some of the finest players and also administrators.

That was also the era when several tournaments were worked off and had many foreign teams playing here. Outstanding amongst them were the Indians and Pakistanis who were world beaters.

But sadly with time, the game began to slip and lost its attraction and popularity, mainly with the game being played not on grass, but on Astro turf.

Now comes the heartening news that the game is going to run into a windfall thanks to the Federation International Hockey who signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the local body, which would see millions of rupees being pumped into the game.

For any game to progress and develop finance is an essential item. Without it, nothing could be done for the player, the administrator or the game.

To the credit of the present office-bearers of the game it must be said that they are doing their darndest to see to the progress of the game. And it is time that all former players and administrators rally round and help.

To get back to the 60s and 70s and those were the days. To think that those days would come again is only a dream.

That was also the time that the game here could have dribbled with the best, give as good as they got, and event if losing left the ground with the heads held high.

A case in point was when the world champions India toured here early in the 60s and the two Test were played at the Army ground Galle Face and the Sugathadasa Stadium.

India had some of the most eye catching and dazzling players. Sri Lanka too had players who held their own against the visitors and undaunted by the reputation of their opponents played some classy hockey.

Both Tests ended in close wins for the visitors. But they left our shores, surprised at the standard and amazed that they got as good as they gave.

That was also the time when tournament after tournaments were played. The Andriesz Shield was the main trophy. Pioneer Cup and Bacon Cup were some of the other shields that were keenly contested for.

Some of clubs and the players that come to mind were the Tamil Union, BRC, Old Bens, Varsity, Matale, YMCA and NCC. These teams played excellently and the hockey they dished out had crowds flocking to see them doing their thing. Players of that era were ones who could hold their own against the best in the world.

There were many outstanding players in that era and those whose names come to mind are- Asia's best goalkeeper Freddie White. Now White was simply marvellous between the posts.

Then other goalkeepers were T. 'Bana' Rajaratnam, Issac Wenaden and Johnny Martin who shone for the Old Bens. Then there was Dr. Gunasingham who was brilliant for the Air Force and Sri Lanka.

Tamil Union and BRC used to rule the hockey scene until the green, white and green shirted Old Bens entered the arena led by Lovellyn Rayen. At one time the Bens gave six players in the starting line for Sri Lanka. They were the famous Fernando brothers, Stanley, Homer, Subash, Francis Assissi, Batcho Selvarj and Anthony McIntyre.

Stanley went on to lead Sri Lanka and what a set of dazzling brothers they were. That was the time when the Old Bens coached by one of the best in the business Brian Assey won all trophies on offer. They were guided by Rev. Bro. Mathias.

Tamil Union too had some players who could hold their own against the best opposition. Their standout player was the great Mylvaganam whose stinging short corner penalties would beat even the best goalkpper in the world. They also had double international C.T.A. Schaffter, Chandi Chanmugam and Jeyaratnam.

The BRC had Ivan de Kretser, Dennis Rosayro, the Harvie Brothers and Hugh Aldons.

From Matale came the Wijekoon brothers, Herbert, Douggie and Ranjit. Also there was Rupesinghe and Jayatissa. Others whose stick artistry stood out were the Jumar brothers. That was the era when the nationals were events to be looked forward to. It was well organised and patronised and the hockey dished out was class.

Hockey promoters who come to mind were the Jaysuriya brothers, Roy de Silva and Dr. J.C. Duraisingham. Today organisers and promoters of their calibre are hard to find.

That was also the time when hockey was given wide coverage by all the newspapers. Captaining the hockey reporters as it were at that time was the mercurial Christie Seneviratne and Rangi Akbar for the Daily News, the writer and Gamini Perera for the Times and Daily Mirror and S.H.A. Careem for the Sun. There was also Premanath Moraes penning his thoughts for the Daily Mirror.

But one who was widely read and appreciated was former Timesman Subbiah Muttiah who wrote the column 'Corner Flag' in the Sunday times. His analysis is of the game was eagerly awaited by readers every week.

One hopes that with the big money received, the Federation would make every endeavour to bring them game to its former glory.

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