Yoges and class of ’62 pave way for hockey revolution

Datuk R. Yogeswaran (third from left) receiving current national jersey from Malaysia Hockey Confederation (MHC) president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal. Flanking them are former international Datuk Mirnawan Nawawi (left) and MHC deputy president Dr S. Shamala.

PETALING JAYA: Malaysian hockey was in a transition period when a group of young players stepped up to the plate to win a surprise bronze at the 1962 Jakarta Asian Games but the achievement was much more valuable than the medal itself.

Datuk R. Yogeswaran, one of the exciting players of that team, recalled that their achievement to finish behind the then top two teams in the world – Pakistan and India – was a huge breakthrough in terms of performance and mindset.

Sixty years has passed since then but the memories are still fresh, said the former winger.

“India and Pakistan were the world’s top teams then and we put on a grand show to finish below them,” said the former teacher.

Although Malaysia began their campaign on a losing note, beaten 3-0 by India, they recovered to beat South Korea 5-1 and Hong Kong 4-0.

They defeated Japan 2-0 for the bronze after losing to eventual champions Pakistan 5-0 in the semi-finals.

“It was our first medal in a major tournament. That was a great achievement and sort of an example for future teams to say that ‘we can do it’. That was the beginning of a ... revolution.

“Before 1962, India and Pakistan used to come here and we were losing to them by as much as 14 goals.

“But in the Asian Games, we narrowed that gap and did better after that.

“In fact, we beat India 1-0 in Melaka before the 1964 Olympics. These days, you can say that we are on the same level with them.”

He said back then the unity in the squad made all the difference.

“It was a very cosmopolitan team ... from different areas career wise. Some were teachers, police officers, army personnel and we got on well, stayed together, played together.

“We felt that working and playing go hand in hand. Most of us also did well in our careers (profession).

“Those days we didn’t really experience overseas exposure like what you get now. The only exposure we got, if ever, was playing against India and Pakistan and our coaches were also from these countries,” added the Olympian, who played in the 1964 and 1968 Games.

Malaysia were captained by M. Shanmuganathan, fondly known as Big Shan due to his towering frame, and vice-captain Lawrence van Huizen, who comes from the famous family of Olympians, as they went on to make a piece of Malaysian hockey history.

The players were feted in a luncheon recently by the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) hosted by their president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal.

The six players who were present were Yogeswaran, Mike Doraisamy, Dr R. Duraisingam, M. Sockalingam, Mohd Haniff Taib and Robin Jayesuria.

Former National Sports Council NSC) director general Datuk Kamalul Ariffin Abdul Rahim, who played a stellar role as the goalkeeper, Michael Arulraj, Aboo Samah Abu Bakar, C. Paramalingam and A. Sabapathy were unable to attend.

The other members, Shanmuganathan, Lawrence, Datuk Ho Koh Chye, R. Anandarajah, Chua Eng Wah, Mike Shepherdson, Ismail Ali and Zam Ariffin have passed away.

Former national captains Datuk Poon Fook Loke, Stephen Van Huizen, Nor Saiful Zaini, Datuk Mirnawan Nawawi, M.P. Haridas as well as former MHC (then MHF) secretary Datuk G. Vijayanathan, were also present to honour the players.

Besides Yogeswaran, several others players like Lawrence, Big Shan, Koh Chye, Arulraj, Paramalingam, Eng Wah also became coaches.

“This group of players went into coaching after retiring to give back to the sport. They have been involved from national level right down to the grassroots,” added Yogeswaran, 82.

Meanwhile, Stephen was pleased to meet the legends where his father Lawrence was an integral part of the team while his uncle Peter was a renowned goalkeeper in the 50s.

“There were easily about seven to eight of them in this group who became coaches and touched the lives of so many young players and I’m one of them,” said Stephen.

“I was initially under my dad and later Yogeswaran in the national junior team while Paramalingam was my coach at the 1982 Asian Games and 1984 Olympics. I was also under Arulraj when I played for Selangor in the Razak Cup.

“A lot of players went through these coaches at national and state levels. They have produced so many national players.

“Their contributions and sacrifices to the sport are massive.”

Many from the class of 1962 may not be around but their breakthrough victory and their contribution to hockey will be remembered forever.