16. Sister, Sister

The Kenya Goan community was blessed with two sets of sisters (there may have been a third pair in Mombasa) who were absolutely stunning in track and field and hockey: Nifa and Trifa De Souza and Astrid (later D’Souza) and Mitelia (later Paul) Fernandes. Trifa virtually won everything in her sights on the track, even giving the powerful sprinters in Mombasa a run for their money. Both sisters were outstanding in hockey especially for the famous Collegians team which set the benchmark in Kenya. In fact, the Fernandes girls took over where the De Souzas left off.

Astrid and Mitelia achieved the unique distinction of each winning the Dr. Ribeiro Goan School track and field championships four years in succession (twice in the Under 15 division and twice in the Open division). Together, the Fernandes sisters were school champions for eight years in succession!

They both went on to win the championships of the Railway Goan Institute (RGI) and the Goan Institute for several years each. In January 1963, for example, Astrid won the Athletics Championship Cup for Women and was presented with her trophy by Mrs. Col Wright, wife of the then Governor of Kenya. Astrid also competed in the 100 and 220 yards in both the Coast and the Kenya Championship held in Kisumu. In the latter meet, she advanced to the finals.

The Goan Tribune quite rightly trumpeted: “As can be imagined from the brilliant feats of Seraphino Antao at the British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Perth and performances of the Kenya Hockey team against the Olympic champions, the standard of sports in Nairobi is pretty high.

“Goans can take pride in the fact that the Goan Institute here has been the chief contributor over many years towards bringing about that happy consummation and still is.

“There is a general air of keenness among spectators as well as participants at the sports meets organised periodically by the GI which augurs well for the future of sports and athletics in this new nation, with Goans happily prominent at least for some time to come.

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120 Astrid Fernandes … all-round athlete in full flight.

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“This was most evident at the GI athletics meeting last month. Open to all-comers, the meeting is easily the premier sporting event in East Africa and is dominated by Goans, though there were many entrants from other communities.

“The title of Victor Ludorum in the men’s events – which ran the gamut from putting the shot to the pole vault – was won by Philip D’Souza with a score of 13 points and the corresponding title for women was annexed somewhat sensationally by Mrs Astrid D’Souza with a score of 16 points, sensationally because it was the first time a married woman has ever won the title in East Africa.

“The events for the championship are: 100 yards, 220 yards, long jump, and the shot. Mr D’Souza won the first three and was third in the shot.

“Astrid has a remarkable athletic career. As a student, she set a record by winning both the junior and senior girls championships for four years consecutively.

“In 1960, at the end of her school career, she won the Women’s Championship at the GI meeting. She was married soon after but returned two years later to reclaim her crown. Last October, she tied with her Mitelia for the Railway Goan Institute athletics title.”

A remarkable effort in any language.

Hockey was the other sport in which Mitelia and Astrid made their mark, with Mitelia representing both Kenya and East Africa and Astrid being a non-travelling reserve for the Kenya team. Astrid was the youngest captain of the Ragtimers team and later captained the RGI team.

When Mitelia finished her hockey career in Kenya the Standard newspaper noted: “Mitelia Fernandes who has played in the Kenya national women’s team for the past three years, left the country for Canada last week.

“Miss Fernandes, a left-winger, was one of Kenya’s finest internationals and it will be difficult for the Kenya Women’s Hockey Association to fill her place.

“She was included in the KWHA side which played India last year and the Indus Times, observed ‘Outside left Mitelia Fernandes with speed and brilliant dribbling on again caught the eye most’.”

Both Mitelia and Astrid continued their hockey careers in Canada and were founding members of the GOA Ladies field hockey team in Toronto. Mitelia has represented Ontario in both field hockey and badminton.

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