Manuel Frederick, hockey player and Kerala’s first Olympic medallist, passes away

IN NEWS

Manuel Frederick, Kerala’s first Olympic medallist and India’s renowned hockey goalkeeper, passed away on October 31, 2025, in Bengaluru after battling cancer. A bronze medallist at the 1972 Munich Olympics, he remains a towering figure in India’s hockey history.

 ANALYSIS

• Early Life & Background:
  • Born in Kannur, Kerala, Manuel Frederick rose to fame as India’s hockey goalkeeper in the 1970s.
  • Joined the Indian Army in 1965 through the Army Sports Control Board, later representing Services, Mohun Bagan, and Bombay.
• Sporting Achievements:
  • Part of India’s bronze medal-winning hockey team (1972 Munich Olympics).
  • Won silver at the 1973 Hockey World Cup (Netherlands) and finished fourth at the 1978 Argentina World Cup.
  • Represented India in two World Cups and one Olympics, apart from eight other international tournaments.
  • Known for his lightning reflexes and fearless goalkeeping—nicknamed “The Ghost” and “Tiger” by fans.
• Recognition & Awards:
  • Despite his stellar performance, he was denied the Arjuna Award for decades.
  • Finally honoured with the Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in 2019 (after eight rejections).
  • Continued to be overlooked for the Padma Shri despite nominations.
• Legacy in Kerala’s Sports History:
  • First Malayali Olympic medallist.
  • Kerala has three Olympic medals—one by Frederick (1972) and two by P.R. Sreejesh (Tokyo 2021 & Paris 2024).
  • Despite his achievements, state-level recognition remained limited.
• Later Life & Contributions:
  • Post-retirement, coached young hockey players in Bengaluru despite financial challenges.
  • Supported by military and sports pensions; received a home in Kannur in 2019 through government initiative.
  • Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan condoled his death, describing him as “one of the best goalkeepers in the world during the helmetless era (1971–78).”

STATIC PART (For UPSC Relevance)

• Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award: India’s highest sporting honour, awarded for outstanding performance over four years.
• 1972 Munich Olympics: India won the bronze medal in hockey, marking the beginning of a new era post-independence dominance.
• Indian Hockey Legacy: India has won 8 Olympic golds, 1 silver, and 3 bronze medals in hockey.
• Army Sports Control Board (ASCB): An institution under the Indian Army responsible for nurturing top sports talent among service personnel.

Updated – 31 Oct 2025 ; 02:36 PM | News Source: The Hindu