Freddie White was unbeatable

When sports giants of the past, especially those living abroad reappear in the local scene, their absence truly makes the heart go fonder. So also with former Sri Lanka’s hockey goalkeeper Freddie White who is on a visit from Australia.

There is a sudden rush of memories if not adrenaline, as I recall his feats, his stature and his sportsmanship. The name Freddie White was big news in the 1960s and ‘70s.

As a hockey custodian he was simply marvellous. It was rarely that a ball went past him when he stood between the posts for the Burgher Recreation Club (BRC) and Sri Lanka.

Star goal keepers in any sport inspire awe. There was Hashim Deen of soccer fame who was unparalled and tagged the best goal keeper in Asia. Freddie White was no less in hockey. His feats would make one hair stand on ends. It was almost as if the invisible hand of the Deity would push the ball aside however forcefully and in whatever angle it was aimed at goal. Freddie led Sri Lanka, as the saying goes, from the front by example and by refusing to be beaten and concede goals.

At his best

White was at his best when the then Olympic Champions India toured here in 1964. If my memory serves me right the First Test was played at the Army Grounds and the Second at the Sugathadasa Stadium.

That was the era when I covered the curved stick game for the ‘Times of Ceylon’ and Gamini Perera for the ‘Daily Mirror’. In those days it was no easy task to obtain a by line. So I wrote as ‘Right Half’.

The experience of having captained the under 16 hockey team at St. Benedict’s College and playing as Right Half, helped me to cover the game with some first hand experience.

The game against the Indians at the Galle Face is still vivid in my memory. India flew in after beating Pakistan in the Olympic final. India had in their ranks some of the finest players that the game had then seen.

Short corner specialist

The first name of an Indian player that readily comes to mind is that of full back Vinod Kumar a short corner specialist, in the class of Sri Lanka’s Mylvaganam. I am sure White will remember the incident. So here goes: a short corner is awarded India’s way. White stands at goal eyes flashing to all corners like a deer caught in headlights. Vinod Kumar takes the hit. Kumar has a drive that leaves his stick like a tracer bullet. So powerful when he connects. And before White could blink it takes him flush on the belly.

White is writhing in intense pain. It’s a hit to the solar plexus. He is breathless. Can White continue? But with White its black and white. Nothing can get between him and the game. White continues like a boxer who has been floored only to rise at the count of nine to fight again.

White urges his team on —- inspiring them to fight on. Sri Lanka stood up to the all mighty power of the Indians and lost by only a small margin. One-nil was the score if I remember right.

The Indians were profuse in their praise for Sri Lanka hockey and especially White’s gallant display between the posts and described him as the best they had seen in Asia in the game.

Muttiah expert commentator

Subbiah Muttiah, the Features Editor and Deputy Editor of the ‘Times of Ceylon’, and ‘Sunday Times’ who was an expert commentator on the game and who used to write the famous and widely read column - ‘CORNER FLAG’ in the Sunday Times paid glowing tributes to White for his fearless keeping.

The second name of a famous Indian hockey player that comes to mind is that of Balbir Singh. Singh was an excellent striker and many were the goals he scored for India. A player who will always remember Singh is Sri Lanka’s Rupesinghe.

That is because of the shot Singh delivered on Rupesinghe’s head when he came on the wrong side. Rupesinghe was seeing double for a few days and could not stay focused!

It was in the 1960s that Sri Lanka hockey was at its best. Many local tournaments were conducted and several teams played here. Some of the Trophies that were contested for that come to mind are the Pioneer Shield, the Andriesz Shield, the Bacon Cup, the Wallys Cup and several others. Where are these tournaments today?

The teams that played and exhibited a high standard of hockey were Tamil Union, BRC, Moors, Old Bens, University, Grasshoppers, United Youngsters, CR and FC and CH and FC and Matale. Whenever these teams met each other big crowds used to flock to see the action.

Famous players

Names of famous players that come to mind are - Freddie White, Ivan de Kretser, the Harvie brothers, Dennis de Rosayro, Richard Heyn, Mylvaganam - a short corner specialist, Iqbal Jumar and his brother, Somasekeram, the Wijekoon brothers, the players who made the Old Bens champions on many occasions - brothers Stanley, Homer and Subash Fernando, McIntyre, Francis Assissi, Batcho Selvaraja, Joseph Charles, ‘Bana’ Rajaratnam, Jhonny Martin, Walter Fernando, the Rayen brothers Lovellyn, Joyce and C.P, Chandrasekeram, Ettipola and Jayasuriya.

That was also the time when Old Bens had six players who at the same time played for Sri Lanka. This still stands as a record. They were Stanley and Homer Fernando, Anthony McIntyre, Franis Assissi, Batcho Selvaraj and Lovellyn Rayen. Their coach was the coach of all hockey coaches Brian Assey.

Cassim Jaleel from Old Blighty

Also on holiday from London is an ardent Sri Lanka cricket supporter Cassim Jaleel. Along with his pal in London Collin Fernando, they never miss watching Sri Lankan cricketers in action when they tour England.

When the Lankans toured Old Blighty for the Twenty20 World Cup they watched every game that the Lankans figured in and were disappointed when their countrymen entered the final and caved into the Pakistanis. Jaleel and Fernando have already marked in their diaries, the games they will watch when Sri Lanka tours there in May. According to Jaleel their wish is that Sri Lanka wins the 2011 World Cup, delight their legion of fans in England and then come to England. Jaleel and Fernando are Old Peterites and storehouses of cricket knowledge. They support England and Jaleel says that England retaining the Ashes beating Australia was the best thing that happened to English cricket-and to international cricket.

The judgment of the Jaleel Fernando combo is well placed as the Gentlemen’s Games, the competitiveness of which has often got routine and dull, needs a kick in the pants!

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