Former hockey players from 70s to hold reunion gathering

Way back then: The Malacca Combined Schools hockey team that won the inaugural Federation of Malaya inter state schools honours in 1959. Standing in the back row are Goh (third from left) and manager cum coach A.G. Leon (fourth from left).

MALACCA: Wong Boon Heng and Micheal Goh Doh Jin, two prominent former Malacca state and national hockey stalwarts of yesteryears are undertaking ground and leg work towards organising reunions of the 1975 Malaysia’ women Scotland World Cup side and the 1959 Malacca Combined Schools team.

For the record, Wong was in the 1975 outfit which wound up in 17th spot out of 25 teams in the Edinburgh Women’s World Cup.

On the other hand, Micheal was the first choice goalkeeper in the Malaccva schools side which bagged the inaugural Federation of Malaya inter-state combined schools title in Kuala Lumpur beating Perak 2-0 in the final in 1959.

Wong also played in the 1971 edition of the Women’s World Cup in Auckland apart from the 1975 tourney.

“I am already in touch with a couple of my team mates residing in Kuala Lumpur with regards to my reunion proposal,” said Wong.

“Several of the 1975 world cuppers are still in the country while a handful have migrated overseas mainly to Australia. I am contacting these players’ family members, relatives and friends still in Malaysia in attempts to contact those who had migrated.

“In fact there were 16 of us in the national contingent that made the Scotland trip when the late Vivian Soars was manager.

“Also, another who passed away was Dorothy Sibert Bailey, the national association’s secretary who accompanied the team as an official.

“Hopefully when all are contacted, I shall arrange an end-of-year reunion date in Malacca where their family members can attend.”

Women power: The 1975 Malaysia women’s Scotland World Cup contingent with former Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak and wife in the group. Standing extreme left in front row is Wong.

The Scotland trip contingent included Vivian Soars (manager), P.T. Lingam (treasurer of the national association),Dorothy Sibert Bailey (treasurer) while the players were Khoo Jok Nee, Mary Soo, P. Savithri, G. Sundra Lakshimi, Evelyn Koelmeyer, Norlia Abu, Daphne Gomez, Dr. K. Navanayanam, Lyiha Ismail, Yap Siew Bee, Goh Joo Pek, Rani Kaur and Wong Boon Heng.

Wong recalled that most players don national colours in the 1971 Women’s World Cup in Auckland, apart from turning out in the 1975 Scotland edition.

Also, the national team bagged the 1974 Asian crown beating Japan 1-0 in the final played in Kuala Lumpur while Wong netted the solitary goal winner when Malaysia edged favourites India earlier in the semi-final.

“Apart from the reunion, a shorten friendly game would be arranged between the national side and the local combined schools girls team where family members and supporters would be invited to attend and maybe take turns playing. I hope the group will come to the reunion and make it a holiday to meet up and go down memory lane,” added Wong.

All former players, supporters and family members keen to come can contact Wong at hockeybhwong@gmail.com.

Meanwhile, Michael has been in contact with several of the 1959 Malacca Combined Schools team including a couple of them who have settled down in Australia.

The reunion is specially arranged to pay tribute to the team’s manager and coach A.G Leon, formerly with the Malacca Education Department who is presently residing in Kuala Lumpur and in poor health.

A couple of players have already passed away and their family members have indicated turning up for the reunion to represent them, added Micheal a former Malacca Survey Department staff now residing in Melaka Baru.

He can be reached at 012- 659 7623 for further details and enquiries.

By PERCY D’CRUZ
malacca@thestar.com.my