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Playing a friendly hockey match every time he visits Singapore is normal for former national stalwart Nantha Kumar.
But on Feb 23, when he wielded his stick at the Singapore Indian Association (SGIA), it was for a special cause.
The 67-year-old, who leads a happily-retired life in Melbourne these days, was on the field to commemorate the deaths of his brother Selva Kumar and three cousins – Kesava Moorthy, K.S. Nathan and M. Paramantham – who were all respected hockey players.
“The team I played for, Family United, is unique,” said Nantha. “It is made up of my cousins and nephews. We are about 15 and have been playing as Family United since 1978.”
The team beat an SGIA selection 1-0 in a match that consisted of three 15-minute periods.
But the scoreline was not important to Nantha.
The gathering of family members and friends to keep hockey alive at the SGIA ground was the highlight.
“At one time in the 1970s, we 11 cousins, who stayed in one house on Tessensohn Road, used to jump over our backyard fence and play hockey whenever possible at either Singapore Chinese Recreation Club, Indian Association or Ceylon Sports Club,” he said.
“No one stopped us and we could indulge in our passion freely. But now other sports have taken over and hockey games are rare at these clubs.”
Interestingly, six of the cousins – Nantha, M. Neethiananthan, Ashok Kumar, Selva, M. Jeevananthan and Nathan – donned the national colours.
Inside-left Nantha and centre-half Jeeva were members of the 1973 SEAP Games gold-medal winning team, the first and only time Singapore won the hockey regional gold. Nantha was then 17 and Jeeva 16.
“Hockey came naturally to us,” said Nantha. “Our fathers – Kanagasabai, Thanigasalam, Mohanavelu and Kalimuthu – never played the sport. We all stayed in one house, kampong style. We were united, our spirits were high, and we all wanted to excel in the sport.”
Former national hockey player and coach Harbhajan Singh Loomba said he has always been amazed by the hockey skills shown by the cousins.
“I have seen all of them play at the Balestier grounds,” said the 86-year-old, who used to stay in Race Course Road in those days. “I coached them and also taught maths and physical eduction to three of them at Whitley Secondary.
“They were all good players, and it was wonderful to see them play together as Family United.”
With the passing of some of the old guard, these days, the team’s numbers are filled by their nephews.
One of the nephews, engineer Kuhan Rajendran, said that hockey has brought the family together.
“Sports has that ability,” said the 38-year-old. “I have always admired my uncles because some of them have brought glory to the nation.”
On Feb 23, after the evening match, nearly 40 members of the family gathered along with about 30 friends to celebrate the lives of the four who departed. There were speeches after dinner, and medals and trophies were distributed.
“It is rare to see a family come together like this,” said business consultant Rajan Menon, 68, who has been Nantha’s friend since 1968. “The camaraderie and friendship are high during such occasions. It’s a good way to keep the family and community spirit going.”
