HOW LEGS 11 LEARNED THE GAME OF LIFE!

HOW ‘LEGS 11’ LEARNED THE GAME OF LIFE

by Jacqueline Colaco

     My family used to fondly call me ‘Legs Eleven’ because I played hockey. Little did I imagine then, that I would have to substitute the hockey stick for a walking stick in later years, when I was struck with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

     I started playing hockey at the age of thirteen in 1962, with a ‘hand-me-down’ stick from a friend of my father, Rev. Fr. Pat Aranjo. By fifteen, I was selected to join the Mysore State team in the company of such greats as Elvera and Rita Britto, the late Heather Faville (former Miss India), Dr. Patricia Rathnaswamy, Shirley Briggs, Nirmala Mandanna, Durdhana Gill and Joyce Browne to name some teammates. This was in 1964 and Mysore were national champions continuously from 1960 to 1968. Our theme song was ‘Five Pennies’, which we sang as we ran on to the field for a match. I played for Mysore till 1968, during which time I captained the State Junior and Bangalore University teams. Thereafter I went to Mumbai to work with Bank of Baroda and was selected to the Mumbai team and moved on to represent India in 1971.

     It was fun playing hockey in Bangalore, where there were three main clubs – Bangalore Sporting (to which I belonged), Eagles and ‘I’ club. Most of our tournaments were conducted at BRV ground (now Chinnaswamy Stadium) or the beautifullt maintained Sullivan Police ground. There was keen competition among the teams and to get selected for the state team was tough. The KSWHA was managed by the late Mrs. Gool Tarapore, who would reward us with a sumptuous party at her regal residence on Spencer road, after every national win. The late Mrs. Britto and Mrs. de Conceicao, were the other grand ladies who motivated us by their motherly prodding. The veteran dapper now eight plus years old V.V. Naidu, as full of beans as ever though partially visually impaired was our coach, (as strict as Shah Rukh Khan in ‘Chake de India’). He was ably assisted by the late V.J. de Cruze and Alan Macbride (umpires). Mr. A.B.Eswar, the late Sait brothers, Jani (umpire) and S.M. and Mr. Adams of Richards Square (Russel Market) fame, were also major presences in our hockey circles during that time, as were Mr. and Mrs. Anderson.

     We played the game of hockey for the sheer love of it. Even when representing the State, all we were given was one pair of shorts and shirt, and perhaps a stick. God help if we had to play matches on consecutive days – our clothes would be starched with perspiration. If a stick broke, hopefully one of the substitutes would lend hers. One shining treat after state practice was the trip on our cycles to ‘NILGIRIS’ for a tall glass of cold milk. When we won a tournament, we would celebrate at ‘HOTEL BREEZE’ also located on Brigade Road. The winning cup would be filled with beer and sipped by all, as we munched on masala dosai topped by a cup of coffee.

    

    

   

 

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      We practised twice daily and I cycled to and from Fraser Town, with another trip to college sandwiched in between. We often had practice against the boys of Royal Hockey Club or the officers of Army units. Tea parties at the army mess after practice were something to look forward to, with handsome young army guys dancing attendance on

us. These were the thrills and frills for us – no money nor endorsements; but what I learned from those days has stood me in good stead through life –

To be a Leader as well as a Member of a Team

To be Competitive, but not Cut-throat

To be Sporting and Gracious both on and off the Job

And to Play the Game of Life for the sheer Love of it!

     This was re-written in 2007 with the following opening paragraph and entitled:

‘The Chak de Girls of Fraser Town’ -

     The film ‘Chak de India’ made waves this year, but little is it known that it was the Fraser Town girls who were in the spotlight of Indian women’s hockey during the 60s’ and 70s’. Led by the famous Elvira Britto who captained both Mysore and India, and flanked by her sisters Priscilla,Rita and Mae, also in the team from the area were Gabrielle Pinto, Joyce Browne, Julianna Kurien, Rajiney Chainaney, Margaret de Conceicao, Shirley Titus, Tara Jani Sait, Shoba Sreedharan, Usha Naidu and Jacqueline Colaco, to name a few .Mr. V.V. Naidu our then coach is now 88  years old and we ourselves are either senior citizens or on the verge thereof. Mysore State at that time boasted of at least six of it’s team representing India, with Elvera as the Indian captain.

     In 2012 Mr. Naidu, though over ninety now, is still as full of beans as ever though really lacking in eyesight. He loves to talk about ‘those days and his girls’ as I do too at age sixty three myself! Most of us players are still around and maybe we’ll organise a Veteran vs.Youngsters Exhibition tie soon to raise funds jointly for The Association of People with Disability where I am Hon. Treasurer and The Jude Felix Hockey Academy Charitable Trust! We’ll invite Mr. V. V. Naidu to be the Chief Guest!