HAPPY TOGETHER — The masters of hockey and their partners
by Rizal Abdullah
After years of competition, camaraderie, and cherished memories, a group of seasoned field hockey players and officials finally came together for a much-awaited reunion dinner.
It was a terrific night. Unfortunately, it took me a while to pen this. That great night of nostalgia took place way back on Sept 12 last year at the Royal Sungei Ujong Club in Seremban.
The bonds forged on the field — through triumphs, defeats, and unwavering teamwork—remained strong despite the passage of time. What began as a simple gathering soon turned into a vibrant evening filled with laughter, storytelling, and a heartfelt reflection on their shared history.
As plates were passed and toasts raised, conversations flowed effortlessly. Tales of legendary matches were recalled with some spirited exaggerations, of course — goals that seemed impossible, saves that defied gravity, and rivalries that still sparked lively debates.
Each story carried the unmistakable passion that once drove them to push their limits, chasing victory not just for themselves but for one another. It wasn’t just about the game; it was about the friendships built through countless training sessions, post-match celebrations, and the occasional locker-room pep talk that kept their spirits high.
Beyond the reminiscing, the reunion revealed the many paths life had taken them to many different careers, finding success in worlds far removed from the turf. Yet despite their different journeys, one thing remained unchanged—their love for field hockey and the enduring connection it had fostered.
The evening reinforced a simple truth: the game may end, but the friendships remain.
It was a two-in-one bash at the Royal Sungei Ujong — to celebrate former international V. Maniam’s 77th birthday and have a get-together for hockey buddies and ex-Johor players and officials.
Some had not met for decades. This brought tears to many, especially when remembering loved ones and those who had passed on.
One former Singapore international, Arul Subramaniam (Sunny), made it to Seremban despite having arrived hours earlier from Norway.
Work commitments forced one or two to pull out at the eleventh hour. But some 20 hockey buddies made it a point to attend. Some came from the northern part of the peninsula, others even crossed the Causeway in the south. All because they remembered a humble soul named Maniam or Victor to his friends.
A delicious and sumptuous menu was picked by Kalikavandan, who lived up to his “specialist” tag, and his other half “goddess”, Alicia, who also made sure that outstation guests were comfortably accommodated at the Royal Sungei Ujong.
Life has moved on and gone in different directions for all of us. But the basis of our friendship — warmth, love, respect, mutual support and trust — still remains. We don’t meet frequently, but when we do, the years “fall apart” as if we had just met last week.
Long-term friends like ours have a shared history but friendship does not rely solely on nostalgia or shared memories. Many have formed a bond that was so precious that it was hard to break.
That night at the Royal Sungei Ujong wasn’t without its hilarious moments. Birthday boy Maniam’s room (No.3) set off some anxiety when Maniam along with Murugan and Arul found their bathroom door jammed at a crucial time. Thanks to his experienced hands, Arul, once a laboratory technologist, unlocked the jam with just a spoon as a handy tool!
Johor Hockey’s one-time main man, Pritam Singh, was the livewire of the party, recollecting many past stories with his usual “I did this and that” style, especially on his links with the stick-and-ball game.
Joe Khaira, a former national goalkeeper from Segamat, was still smarting from Malaysia’s defeat to Singapore in the 1973 SEAP Games final at the Jalan Besar Stadium. Dr Winston Simon, K. Dharmalingam, former international umpires Murugan Nair and Yasudhasan and others were there to hear the 52-year-old “what-should-have-been” sob story.
Maniam was well-entertained by several old songs from the movies, which Sunny and others sang. They also became “instant composers” and had no problems belting them out in Tamil, Hindi, English, and even in Chinese! Of course, the old-time favourites brought back sweet memories.
Together in spirit, the veterans are just “untouchables” – leave it to them as they have gone through the mill.
For me, life is always nothing without friendship. Till we meet again!
WE
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