Family
comes first, always!
Dato
R.Yogeswaran at home in Petaling Jaya
The
Olympic Games are the biggest multi-sports event on Earth. They come round
every four years regularly. Over ten thousand participants representing their
respective nations by virtue of being the best in individual and team sports
gather to exhibit and show case their special talent and event for the world to
see. Millions of others all over the world from different corners of the world
also gather in front of their TVs to witness and welcome the new world champion
and hero. The entire host nation makes ceaseless efforts to make the Games a
great success better than the previous ones. The participants representing
every country in the world on the other hand will vow to give out the best they
can. They have also gathered wanting to cultivate mutual understanding and
friendship amongst themselves. Needless to say, sports is one of the highest
and best means for the promotion of the world's peace and amity.
The
Olympic Motto "Citius, Altius, Fortius" ("Faster, Higher,
Stronger --Together ") will at all times be minded and kept utmost.
As
for me, I have from young been competitive in nature and in some ways a bad
loser and because of this not wanting to lose nature I go all out when I
perform. I always wanted to represent Malaysia in the Olympics and be the best
I can be.
It
is good to be good, better to be better but best to be the best that you can
ever be.
This
opportunity came in the 1960 Rome Olympics in which Malaysia had qualified for
hockey. I was nineteen years old and I was already in the team. The players
were looking forward and got into serious training. To many of us this would
have been our first Olympics and to some a first to Europe. But alas! as our
luck maybe the OCM withdrew participation citing shortage of funds. This did
not go well with most players and they broke their hockey sticks. Another four
years was too long a wait! We the players and officials were very sad.
Now
comes 1964 and Tokyo Olympics. Malaysian hockey and Singapore hockey became
one. There was a big clamour for a places in the team. Many players have been
waiting for this opportunity, a long wait. Selection appeared to be tricky and
political. The final 18 was not easy as there were many good, matured players.
The Press played a part too in influencing selection. Four from Singapore made
it viz Anuwarul Hague (Goalkeeper) Kanagalingam, Douglas Nunis and Kartar
Singh. They were good and deserving. Fair selection!
I
too made the list but not without some unforeseen anxious encounters.
During
the rest break of the final phase of training I went back home to Ipoh.
While there took part in the Central Perak zone athletic meet and sustained a
bad hamstring muscle tear. To be ready for the forthcoming trials and to
expedite healing stale blood had to extracted and in my humble opinion this
made the injury worse and my chances of making the Tokyo Olympics was slowly
diminishing. The trials came and I could not take part.
However,
YAM Raja Azlan Shah, who was then Vice President MHF and also Chairman
Selection Board called me aside and informed me that the final selection will
depend on the test matches with the Indian Olympian team that will be stopping
over in Malaysia enroute to Tokyo. He told me that I will probably be put to
play, and if my leg can sustain the strain of the matches, and also basing on my
performance, he will then relook at my situation. I was grateful for this opportunity.
The
Indians came and played in Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur, Seremban and Melaka. I was put
to play all the four games.
In
the last match at Kubu Stadium I was tearing into the Indian defense and created
a number of penalty corners, and in one of which Douglas Nunis scored the
solitary goal. Malaysia had beaten India - History was created!
YAM
Raja Azlan Shah and the team manager, Dr. Aziz Durairatnam called me up and
said, "Well done, congratulations, you are on the list to Tokyo Olympics.
Take care of your leg and sleep well".
Oh
God! What a relief from days of anxiety. My prayers were answered.
Welcome
to 1964 Tokyo Olympics!
Our
team had no coach. The Indian coach Mr Kishan Lal, former Indian Olympian, had
just announced that he only agreed to come to Malaysia and coach the team in
preparation for Tokyo, but would not to go to Tokyo. He was a good coach and a God-fearing
person. Nothing materialistic could tempt him to change his mind.
The
team captain for the Tokyo Olympics was M. Doraisamy with K. Anandarajah as the
vice. P.Alagendra was appointed as a stand-in coach.
Now
comes the trip itself. 19 players joined the rest of the Malaysian contingent
all beaming with lots of expectations and confidence. Prior to this, as
team preparation, a tour of India was arranged where Malaysia played 16
games and this virtually took us all over India.
A
top Indian player and penalty corners specialist, R.S.Gentle was appointed to
prepare the team for the tour. He accompanied the team on the Indian tour. It
was good that he came along to India, as he was treated as a semi-god and we
gained by this respect shown to him. The tour was useful, especially with
regards to fact finding.
The
team manager to Tokyo was Dr. Aziz Durairatnam a passionate and no-nonsense
man.
With
team mates at the Tokyo hockey training ground
Taking
a break during training and shopping at Tokyo.
With
new found friends in Tokyo!
Having a great
time with my team mates
Practice
match with Spain (judging from the jerseys)
The
team played a number of first class practice matches and ended up with good
results in Tokyo. This gave our local fans high hopes and expectations.
However,
In the tournament proper our young team played well, but not good enough to
take us to the semi-finals stage. Our performance itself in the earlier stages
was creditable and nothing to be shameful of.
We were facing the hockey giants of the world. I was put to play all the
games.
Here
on a personal note I had the opportunity to watch Hendry Carr the 'USA poetry
in motion' in the 200m, and the 'pigeon toed' Bob Hays doing the sub 10
sec 100m and our own Malaysian and Asian hero M. Jegathesan in the 200m, all of
world fame, just to name a few, performing at the main stadium and also
the clash between hockey giants India and Pakistan in the finals. These
were a treat!!
India
beat Pakistan 1-0 in the finals to win the Gold medal in Tokyo
At
that time it was said that the Tokyo was the best organised Olympics, though
Tokyo had lack of lavatory facilities. This is because Japanese men always let
go when the urge got to them! Though expensive motorised cabin lavatories were
provided, posters were put up around the city to persuade men to use them
saying 'The Olympics are coming ----don't piss in the streets!' This I thought
was funny!!
The
hockey team finished 9th out of total 16. Creditable!
Now
comes Mexico Olympics in 1968. It was also the year I got married to my wife
June Shanta, now 53 years ago.
June
and I on our wedding day
Everyone
was worried that the athletes will suffer from Mexico City's high altitude
and rarified air, and also the land of manana will not be ready as the Olympic
Games venue in any reasonable time. But it surprised everyone and did it
despite hiccups, like the Black Power Salute by athletes Peter Norman, Juan
Carlos and Tommy Smith who were all sent home and the shooting of 200 odd students
who protested for the spending of so much money on organizing the Olympics, which
could have been spend on its people who were in dire need and in poverty.
Surprisingly Mexico City was judged 'the best Games yet '.
Due
to the high altitude problem, team preparation changed in most countries. For
the first time in Malaysia, training and team preparation venue was in Tanah
Rata, Cameron Highlands to acclimatise to the thin air situation which made it
difficult to breathe. The team was accommodated in Brinchang a few miles higher
up. This is the closest they could get to Mexico City's altitude. Something
better than none. Our coach was Venky Naidu from India.
The
daily training program was running down about 3 miles along the jungle track
from Brinchang to Tanah Rata with your training kit after a cup of coffee.
Physical training and skill work from 8am to 10am with a short breakfast. Then
run back the same uphill for rest and lunch and return for evening tactical
work from 4.30-6.30pm as the weather changes with cold setting in.
This
went on for a month before the final team was selected. YAM Raja Azlan Shah was
the Chairman of the selection committee. 18 players with me included were on
the list, with Dr Aziz Durairatnam again the manager with the late Ho
Koh Chye as goalkeeper and captain.
It
was a long, tiring trip to Mexico. The Australian Hockey Association invited
Malaysia to play a series of matches against them enroute to Mexico which MHF
readily accepted as we were lacking in exposure. These matches were played in
Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. Malaysia's win in the series surprised
many of the local fans and their expectations soared.
However,
there was a misunderstanding in the travel schedule.
At
the Sydney airport we were informed that next stop for a 2-day break was Nadi, Fiji
and not on the beaches of Tahiti. This was a big disappointment. In Nadi we
stayed in a good hotel, amongst a sugar cane plantation. After a 2-day rest,
the trip took us to Houston, Los Angeles, and ended up in Mexico City amongst
the fear of student rebellion who might be reacting to the shooting of the 200
students.
Finally
arrived in Mexico!
Thankfully,
we did not encounter any student rebellion!
Malaysia
started well in the tournament, drawing the first 3 games against France, East
Germany and Kenya. The team was getting tired as breathing was becoming
difficult and painful. We went down in the next two games against
Australia and India. From there onwards, it was all the way downhill.
We
had a number of injuries which contributed to this. Captain and goalkeeper Ho
Koh Chye was hit on the head during a penalty corner melee and had to be
carried out. Half back Jack Johnson was his replacement. Koh Chye had to be
rested on medical advice the next two games and reserve keeper, Leong Wei Piu
took over. M. Arulraj, our reliable half back and first runner out and hand
stopper for penalty corners walked through a glass door going for dinner and
injured himself. Koe Chong Jin, our main striker, fell on the cement court
during morning physical training and injured his head and dislocated his
shoulder.
Soaking
in the local culture in Mexico
Those
days teams on oversea tours did not have the luxury of an extra official as
fitness trainer unlike these days, so I was conducting the conditioning
training.
3
major players out was a big blow to the team. We were no longer the same team
that we started with. Malaysia finally played home team Mexico for 15th/16th
placing and struggled to win 1-0, a goal scored by Harnahal Singh. Malaysia was
placed 15th that year.
Malaysia
had convincingly beaten this same team in a practice match earlier. This was an
indication of the deterioration of the motivation level of the team.
The
return home trip which was long but enjoyable. The players had contributed to
cover cost, some had to take company loans but it was worthwhile as many will
not come by that way again. The route home was via Montreal, Rome, Amsterdam,
London, Bangkok and finally, Kuala Lumpur.
There
were some other minor episodes along the way which I don't intend to discuss
and place any of my dear and fellow mates in any form of embarrassment. We went
as one, we stay as one. If ever there was any real short comings, then it was
the lack of an orientation prior to leaving. We must remember that some of
these players were first time out of the country.
My last 2
assignments to the Olympics were in the 1988 Seoul Olympics as an NSC
representative, and in 2000 Sydney Olympics as the Men’s Hockey Team Manager.
In 1988,
Malaysia did not qualify for the Olympics, but I was sent under NSC’s
sponsorship with the purpose of ‘spying’ on the participating teams that would
be playing in the Raja Azlan Shah tournament in Ipoh for the qualifying rounds
of the London Hockey World Cup that same year.
I was the
chief coach of the team. Freddy Vias, C Thavanayagam and S.Perempalam (MHC
Treasurer) also came along to Seoul.
We
succeeded in the Raja Azlan Shah tournament by beating South Korea 1-0, hence
qualifying for the next round in New Jersey. Sarjit Singh scored the all
important goal. However, our journey ended in New Jersey and Malaysia failed to
make it to London.
Coming back
to the 1988 Seoul Olympics, the Koreans had a well-organized opening ceremony,
filled with colour and movement. But, the releasing of the doves met a
disaster, as the doves which were suppose to be fluttering off to the sky and
home, instead were flying in confusion after being released due to the noisy
stadium.
The
reason why doves are not used anymore at the Olympics opening ceremony (Photo
credit : dailystar.co.uk)
The crowd
met with droppings from above, as the doves found their place inside the
stadium on top of the cauldron. And when the cauldron was lit, hundreds of
half-roasted doves ended flying aimlessly in panic!
Here in
Seoul, I had the rare opportunity to witness the greatest athletic event of the
decade or century – the 100 metre race between Jamaican-born Canadian, Ben
Johnson and the great Carl Lewis of the United States of America. Ben was
already boasting that ‘when the gun goes off, the race would be over’ and, in a
way, that was what happened. Ben Johnson took the gold in an unbelievable time
of 9.79s, with Carl Lewis coming in second at 9.92s. Carl shook Johnson’s hand
and walked off.
Ben Johnson
was later found to have cheated in a doping scandal that rocked the world.
As for me,
I had witnessed the race of the century!
Most
memorable events at the 1988 Seoul and 2000 Melbourne Olympics (Photo credit :
thestar.com and The Guardian)
Meanwhile,
in the hockey scene, Great Britain created an upset as she defeated the mighty
Australians 3-2 in the semifinals and then West Germany 3-1 in the finals to
take the Men’s Hockey Gold!
DYMM Tuanku
Sultan Azlan Shah, beloved President of Malaysian Hockey Federation and Her
Royal Highness Anne, were at the stadium, adding honour and prestige to the
event.
The 2000
Sydney Olympics to me was the most memorable. Over 200 nations consisting of
12,000 participants gathered at Home Bush to mix and mingle, and above all, to
showcase their prowess, the fruits of years of hard work and sacrifice.
One of the
greatest event that year, was when the whole of Australia came to a standstill
to cheer their aboriginal Australian athlete, Cathy Freeman, clad in a
specially designed attire, to become the first aboriginal Australian to win an
Olympic Gold in the 400 metre event.
She then
took the victory lap with both the Australian and aboriginal flag draped round
her to join Lionel Rose as the 2 greatest aboriginal athletes!
Now comes
my greatest regret and disappointment in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, as Malaysia
missed the semi-finals by a mere 34 seconds when Pakistan equalized 2-2 through
a penalty corner by their world class penalty corner taker, Sohail Abbas. Our
goals were scored by Suhaimi Ibrahim and Chua Boon Huat.
This broke
the hearts of not only the thousand of Malaysian hockey fans, but that of our
beloved father of Malaysian hockey, DYMM Sultan Azlan Shah, who was present to
watch the game.
A chance of
making history was missed. To me, it would have been a personal fitting ‘Thank
You’ for the years of service to Malaysian hockey. Stephen Van Huizen, Chief
Coach and Yahya Atan, his able assistant had worked very hard with the team and
were bitterly disappointed, as expected.
Celebrations
in Osaka, at the Olympics qualifiers after we qualified for the 2000 Sydney
Olympics
2000
Sydney Olympics Men’s Hockey Team
Privileged
to have met former Australian Prime Minister Mr Bob Hawke in Sydney. He said we
should take a photo together as we have the same hairstyle!
I would
like end my Olympic journey by expressing what is on my mind.
-
Are
the Olympics really something special?
-
Do
you really believe so?
-
Or
is it just another international sporting event?
-
Is
it just to make money and leave the poor to continue being poor, and allow
racism and sexism to exist?
-
Is
it about who can win the most number of medals?
There is
nothing about learning and connecting with others from different societies and
cultural background. If it is so, and only when that happens, can the Olympic
Games be considered something special.
Others, of
course, may have differing views.
Nonetheless,
I am grateful that I have been blessed with the opportunity to be part of the
Olympics 4 times - twice as a player (1964 Tokyo and 1968 Mexico), once as a Sport
Council representative (1988 Seoul) and once as a team manager (2000 Sydney),
and will forever hold these memories and experience close to my heart.
Dato’
R.Yogeswaran signing off.
(Interviewed
and compiled by Charles Lim)
