PETALING JAYA: Malaysian sports lost another great administrator when K. Aryaduray (pic), one of Malaysian Hockey Federation’s (MHF) founder members, died after a short illness at the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre here yesterday.
He was 86.
Aryaduray was the first secretary of the Malayan Hockey Federation (as it was known back in 1953), which took over from the then Malayan Hockey Council (formed in 1948 and which had control of the game in Singapore and Malaya).
Aryaduray was the first secretary of the MHF, serving from 1953 to 1959.
He also had a hand in the forming of the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM), serving as a secretary as well.
The late N.M. Vasagam was the first secretary of the OCM and Aryaduray was his assistant. Aryaduray took over as secretary from 1957 to 1961.
Among the other posts that he had held were honorary secretary of the Selangor HA (1952-56); honorary secretary of the MHF (1953-59); honorary assistant secretary of the Federation of Malaya Olympic Council (1953-56); honorary secretary of Federation of Malaya Olympic Council (1957-61); Member of the Board of Control, Merdeka Stadium (1957-59); Member of the Council of the Asian Games Federation (1957-61).
The national hockey team took part in the Olympic Games for the first time in Melbourne in 1956 and Aryaduray was the team manager. Malaysia finished ninth out of 12 teams.
Aryaduray also had the distinction of umpiring one of the classification matches at the Games held in Melbourne.
When Aryaduray relinquished his post as MHF secretary, his place was taken over by his protege Datuk G. Vijiyanathan.
“He was a quiet and reserved man. He roped me into hockey. He served in many capacities and had the honour of leading the OCM as well. I do not think that people of this generation will remember him. He was one of those officials who had served at a time when sports was just starting out in this country and who set the framework for what the game is today,” recalled Vijiyanathan.
In 2002, Aryaduray was inducted into the OCM’s Hall of Fame and he was quoted as saying that the “love and passion for the game was the main thing for sportsman and officials of that era”.
Aryaduray leaves behind five children and nine grandchildren to mourn his loss. His son A. Asohan is a former editor in The Star.
The funeral will be held later this week, after the return of his daughters from overseas. Those who wish to pay their respects can do so at No. 4, Lorong 8/3H, Petaling Jaya. For more information, contact 03-79559993.
THE STAR
No comments:
Post a Comment