Hockey fans flocked and rocked getting what they wanted to see-by Dennis de Rosayro
(This is the second installment in a series of articles on the number one hockey club BRC from 1932 to 2021)
Source:Sundayobserver
It was indeed the glory era that undoubtedly enabled the Burgher Recreation Club (BRC) to hold its position as the Number One hockey club.
The others who significantly contributed were A.J. Rumy, Abdul Hamid, Muhalareen Jaldin, S. Manoraj, Kumar de Silva, Ananda de Silva and Shiran Massaron. From 1932 to 1964, the BRC and Tamil Union C & AC dominated the hockey scene and the 1953 Ceylon team to South India had seven and six players from the Tamil Union and BRC respectively.
My idol Hugh Aldons could not make the trip due to Leave difficulties. However, he captained the 1957 team to South India. Significantly, two of Ceylon’s greatest players, A Mylvaganam from the Tamil Union and Ernie Kelaart were captain and vice captain on the 1953 Tour. Hundreds and hundreds would flock to the Colombo Oval and Havelock Park to witness what was to be classic encounters, fiercely fought out but in the true spirit of true sportsmen.
Notwithstanding, enduring friendships have lasted a lifetime. The BRC versus Old Bens encounters from 1962 to 1989 drew vast crowds with Old Bens dominating from 1965 to 1975 and BRC from 1976 to 1989.
The Sri Lankan teams were dominated by players from both clubs. The matches produced hockey of the highest class. One must never forget the many players who were unfortunate not to get National Caps such as Russel Bartels, ‘Natty’ Prins, S. Sandrasekeran and David Heyn. During the golden era from 1975 to 1989, the other outstanding players were Abdul Hamid, A.J. Rumy and M. Rahuman.
During the Sixties and Seventies, players like Malcolm Berenger, Gerry Jayasuriya, S. Rasheed, Raja Atukorala, Clifford, Franklyn and ‘Buster’ Harvie, are names I can remember. Our ‘B’ team also won many trophies and names like Brian Forbes, Peter Bartholomeusz, Raja Van Twest, Quintin Wright, ‘Kutcho’ Perera, J. Strover, M. Cassim, S.K. Weerakoon, Ronald Berenger and Melvin Bartholomeusz were stalwarts for many a decade. In the Nineties, Mohamed Naleem dazzled spectators with his brilliant stick work executed at high speed and had the rare honour of being adjudged the Best Player at the International Invitation Tournament held in Singapore in 1990. Other prominent players were Internationals Indika Prasanna, M.M. Fayal and Ananda de Silva. During the period, 1990 to 2022, we won the Andriesz Shield six times, Pioneer Cup seven times, Pioneer Shield twice and Bacon Cup once. From 2005, Abeetha Fernando has been the most outstanding player captaining the Club on several occasions and presently plays and coaches.
In 2009, he represented the Under 21 Sri Lanka team at the Asian tournament held in Oman. In 2016, he represented Sri Lanka at the Asian Qualifying Games and brought great honour to the country by scoring six goals and was selected as the Player of the Tournament.
From 1989, the following captained the club, Shiran Massaron, A.K. H. Rizvi, M.U.M. Asmie, Abdul Hamid, M.J.M. Naleem, M. Fowzi, M. Haniff, M. Basheer, K.P.P. Perera, Rajeep Weerasiri, Sharn Indika, Indika Prasanna, Shanaka Jayasekera, Janaka Ratnayake, N.R. Pathmasiri, Abeetha Fernando, Sukitha Subasinghe, M.J.M. Naushad, D.V. Croos, Thishun Hettiaratchi, Gihan Peiris, Muditha Kulatunga, Thilan Weerasooriya, Jiffry Irshard and Ishara Kulatunga.
As an appreciation and reward for the excellent performances during the past two years, the Club organised a tour to Bangkok, Thailand, to participate at the 46th Royal Bangkok Sports Club Tournament held on December 7 and 8, 2019. The officials were Asif Bary, Kumar de Silva, V, Balagobi and Muditha Kulathunga.
The team was made up of Thilan Weerasooriya (Captain), Abeetha Fernando (Coach/Player), Jiffry Irshard, Ishara Kulatunga, Sachith Dilshan, Lasith Saranga, Naveen Niranjan, Amjad Bary, Vidunesh Balagobi, Navindar Buddhadasa, Lahiru Wijeysinghe, Shan Indika, Mohamen Imran, Nithu Nishantha and Nilendra Kasun. As officials N.M. de Hoedt umpired Ceylon vs. India in 1947 and 1948, Lloyd Heyzer vs. India and Singapore in 1957 and 1968 respectively and Wally F. de Zylva and Dennis de Rosayro vs Delhi State Hockey Association series in 1966.
Dennis de Rosayro went as coach for the Asian Cup held in Karachi in 1982 and as Judge for the International Invitation Tournament in 1990 held in Singapore and also as Chef de Mission for the Men’s Asia Cup 1999 held in Kuala Lumpur.
As at present, M.J.M. Naushad of the BRC is the only International Umpire and has officiated in 2012 at the Fourth Men’s Asia HF Cup Tournament held in Thailand, in 2014 at the Asian Games Qualifying Tournament and 17th Asian Games held in South Korea and Junior A.H.F. Cup (Under 23) held in Bangkok.
Summing up the period 1932 to 2022, in all four major tournaments conducted by the Colombo Hockey Association, the Burgher Recreation Club has won 72 times (5 Joints), following by C.H. & F.C. with 47 (9 Joint), Old Bens Sports Club 29 (1 Joint) and Tamil Union C & A.C with 26 (1 Joint).
Burgher Recreation Club International debutants: 1932 Fulham Wright, Carl Kelaart, N.T. Fernando. 1935 V.S. de Kretser (Senior) 1847 Ernie Kelaart, Russel Heyn, Hugh Aldons, Wally de Zylva, C.W. ‘Bob” Bartels. 1955 Ivan de Kretser, Fredrick White, V.S. de Kretser (Jr) Brindley Stave. 1960 Dennis de Rosayro G.H. Jayatissa, G.H. Rupasinghe. 1964 Iqbal Jumar, M. Farouk, Randolph Morrel. 1965 Richard Heyn, Derrick Harvie. 1968 Tissa Ettipola. 1974 A.K.H. ‘Otto’ Preena. 1976 Mervin Preena, J.M. Jhan, M. Fawzi. 1978 Sarath Serasinghe Ishak Sahabdeen M.F.M. Razeen, Lal Wijesekera, M.M. Hallaj. 1982 S.H.U. Karnain. 1985 Ananda de Silva. 1986 M.J.M. Naleem, S.H.M. Fayal. 1996 Indika Prasanna.
(The third and final installment will be published in the Sunday Observer of December 24, 2023)
