Post by : Maya Rahman

Manuel Frederick, the former India men’s hockey goalkeeper who was part of the squad that won bronze at the 1972 Munich Olympics, died on Friday morning in Bengaluru. He was 78 and had been receiving treatment for prostate cancer for nearly ten months. His passing is being mourned across the hockey community.

Renowned for quick reflexes and calm under pressure, Frederick was praised for his ability to anticipate play and make crucial saves. His display in Munich was a decisive factor in India returning home with a bronze medal.

Frederick represented India in multiple international competitions and was admired for his modest demeanour off the pitch as much as his skill between the posts. He remains a prominent figure in India’s rich hockey tradition.

Born on October 20, 1947, in Barnasseri, Kannur, Frederick holds the distinction of being the first athlete from Kerala to earn an Olympic medal. His success encouraged many young sportspeople in the state, and Kerala later celebrated other hockey achievers such as P.R. Sreejesh, who won bronze at the Tokyo and Paris Olympics.

His Olympic achievement stood as a milestone for Kerala sports, highlighting the region’s growing presence in national hockey and motivating future generations to aim for international competition.

Frederick had lived in Bengaluru for many years with his family. In recent times his health declined following a prostate cancer diagnosis; his daughter Freshna said his condition worsened in the final weeks as he developed jaundice and liver problems.

Freshna also noted that Frederick was deeply affected by the death of his wife, Sheetala, a year earlier. The loss took an emotional toll, and he had struggled with depression afterwards. His family and supporters remained by his side during his illness.

His daughters described him as a devoted father and a disciplined sportsman who valued honesty and hard work. They expressed sorrow at his death while taking pride in his sporting legacy that continues to inspire athletes nationwide.

Colleagues remember Frederick as a quietly determined competitor who did not seek the limelight but delivered in critical moments. His rise from a small Kerala town to the Olympic podium is remembered as one of Indian sport’s most motivating stories.

In recognition of his contributions to the game, Frederick was honoured with the Major Dhyan Chand Award for Lifetime Achievement in Sports and Games in 2019, one of India’s top sporting accolades.

The award highlighted his long-standing dedication to hockey and his role in shaping the nation’s sporting history. His name sits alongside other Indian hockey greats.

While his passing leaves a gap in India’s sporting memory, Frederick’s influence will persist through the goalkeepers and players inspired by him. His Olympic medal remains a testament to a proud era in Indian hockey.

From humble beginnings in Kerala to the global stage in Munich, Manuel Frederick’s life was defined by perseverance and pride. As the hockey community grieves, many remember him as both a champion in competition and a symbol of resilience off it.

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