MALAYSIAN HOCKEY LEGEND RAMAKRISHNAN DIES AT 72

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 28 (Bernama) -- The national hockey arena has lost one of its legends, R. Ramakrishnan, who died today at the age of 72, believed to be due to a heart attack at a hospital in Damansara here.

According to a relative, funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.

Meanwhile, former Speedy Tigers head coach Stephen Van Huizen, who had known the late Ramakrishnan since around 1972, described him as a humble and courteous individual who was always ready to lend a helping hand.

“It is indeed a great loss because he is one of the hockey legends. Although his name is not often mentioned, he was truly one of the better players. He played in three World Cups, two Olympics, captained the team at the World Cup and was an Asian All-Star.

“After retiring from playing, he contributed to coaching at various age-group levels. For me, it is truly a loss because he was a very good person, a gentleman, an excellent hockey player, very humble and always willing to help. He never said anything bad and always wanted to help others,” he said when contacted by Bernama.

Throughout his career, Ramakrishnan captained the national squad at the 1978 World Cup and competed in two Olympic Games (1972 and 1976), three World Cup editions (1973, 1975 and 1978), two Asian Games (1974 and 1978) and four SEAP/SEA Games, in addition to various other international tournaments.

-- BERNAMA