Farewell sir, we will miss you

KATHIRAVALE: Knew the law of the sports at his fingertips

THE young generation would have known about other countries having football and hockey legends but what they would not have known was that Malaysia had a double accredited official, S. Kathiravale, who passed away at his home in Taman Yarl in Old Klang Road yesterday.

Kathiravale, a Fifa-accredited referee and an International Hockey Federation umpire from 1968 to 1980, was 84.

Kathiravale blows his last whistle

OCM vice president Datuk Roy Rajasingham, who is also Kathiravale’s close friend, said he was loved by all in the fraternity.

“He achieved great heights in football and hockey and brought fame to the country by being the first Malaysian world-class referee and umpire,” he said.

Rajasingham said Kathiravale had contributed a lot for football and hockey as an official. He was a mentor to the younger generation of referees and umpires.

“As a close friend, Kathiravale was the most jovial person I have ever met. He always makes people laugh and made sure they were always happy with him,” he said.

Kathiravale, who is an Arsenal supporter, started out as a linesman and graduated to become an international referee during his 48 years in the sport.

He officiated at 33 matches, including Malaysia’s 2-0 victory over Arsenal, at Merdeka Stadium in 1975.

At the continental level, Kathiravale officiated the final match between Iran and South Korea in the 5th Asian Cup in Bangkok, Thailand in 1972, and the first Women’s Asian Cup final between Thailand and New Zealand in Hong Kong in 1975.

In 1978, he was a senior linesman at the 8th Asian Games football final between South Korea and North Korea in Bangkok.

Kathiravale was also the referee for the Japan-South Korea qualification match in Tokyo, Japan for the 1978 World Cup.

Former The Malay Mail sports editor Tony Mariadass said Kathiravale was an icon during his reporting days.

“He has a unique way of presenting himself. He could pass down a message from a joke ... that’s how brilliant he was,” said Mariadass.

Kathiravale, a teacher by occupation, made time for Mariadass by teaching him about the rules and regulations of football and hockey.

“He knew the law of the sports at his fingertips. Two weeks ago, I rang him up to ask about the abandoned FA Cup semifinal match between Pahang and Darul Takzim FC. He was sharp for his age,” said Mariadass.

Kathiravale served as an AFC International Referee Instructor from 1975 to 2000 (one of the first three AFC instructors) and Fifa-accredited referee Instructor from 1986 to 2000.
In hockey, he started as a ball boy before becoming Razak Cup tournament director in 2002.

INFECTIOUS PERSONALITY: Kathiravele, seen here cutting his wedding anniversary cake with his wife S. Sarasvathi, always made an impact on whoever met him

The funeral was held at Loke Yew Crematorium at 5pm yesterday.

Among those who paid their last respects were C. Paramalingam, 1975 Malaysian hockey team captain Datuk Sri Shanmuganathan, K. Balasingam, R. Pathmarajah, S. Balasingam, Stephen Van Huizen, Malaysian Hockey Confederation deputy president Datuk Nur Azmi Ahmad, FA of Malaysia assistant general secretary Datuk Ahmad Fuad and Olympic Council Malaysia secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi.

Kathiravale leaves behind wife S. Sarasvathi and three sons, K. Ananthavel, Dr K. Sivakumar and K. Sivapalan.

Farewell, Kathiravale

S. Kathiravale and his wife. FORMER double international S. Kathiravale passed away at 5am today. During his heyday, a time where double Internationals were a norm among athletes, the 84-year-old was on the other side of the spectrum officiating hockey and football matches.

Accredited by FIH and FIFA, the world’s governing body for the respective sports, Kathiravale enjoyed the spotlight never seen by referees nor umpires these days – making the headlines of newspapers across the country.

During an interview with an English daily a couple of years ago, Kathiravale recalled his golden years saying “as long as it lasted, I enjoyed everything.” “He was always passionate about his games and I think that is what took him to the top in hockey and football.

He has done great service to the country,” said his first born K. Ananthavel. Kathiravale started out a linesman in a local football tournament and graduated to an International referee during the 48 years of his involvement in the sport.

He had officiated 33 International matches in addition to Arsenal’s first visit to Malaysia in 1975, where his favourite club lost to Malaysia 2-0. When he finally called it quits in football in 2006, the Seremban-born man had served the FA of Malaysia (FAM) Referee Committee in various positions.

His service to football was recognised by Asian Football Confedearation as he was awarded the AFC Distinguished Service Awards – Gold (30 years) last month. Kathiravale also served a hockey empire for 42 years, first starting as a ball boy before becoming the Razak Cup tournament director in 2002.

In a press statement today, Selangor Hockey Association extended “its heartfelt condolences to his wife and family and mourns the loss of a sportsman, a friend and a mentor to all who has contributed so much to hockey and football not only in the state of Selangor but nationally and internationally.”

*Funeral will be held at the Loke Yew Crematorium at 5pm today.