19. Edgar Fernandes

With Jesse Owens in Rome. Treble Gold Medalist. Jesse was one of history’s truly great sprinters.

From the age of nine until he was 13, Edgar was in a boarding school (St Stanislaus) in Bombay. There he played hockey, cricket and soccer. Looking back, he says: “No one taught you how to play. It just came naturally.”

When he returned to Kenya, the family lived in the lush, green and beautiful Kiambu area which was bereft of any worthwhile grassless area. They lived around 16 km from Nairobi and he and his late brother Egbert were somewhat envious of the children who played hockey on in Nairobi’s Park Road.

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Nairobi Goan Institute 1961 Emar DeSouza Gold Cup winners. Standing: Raul Monteiro, Dunstan Rodrigues, Osbourne D’Souza, Ivo Colaco, Oliphant D’Souza, Oscar D’Souza, David Carasco. Seated: Ossie D’Souza, Edgar Fernandes, Renato Monteiro, Anthony Vaz, Egbert Fernandes. On the floor: Remy and Crescent Fernandes.

At the age of 15, the family moved to Nairobi and it was not long before he tried out for the Dr. Ribeiro Goan School Second XI. The following year he was selected for the school’s First XI. Anthony D’Souza was Coach and Selector of the school team. “Needless to say, Mr. D’Souza was my mentor who introduced us to “hockey intelligence” as the key ingredient in our training as most players were naturally skillful,” Edgar explains.

“Hockey Intelligence” is the ability to create situations where your skills are utilised in a manner that produces a positive effect to your team’s advantage and, hopefully, eventual success. It requires “peripheral vision” on a scale much greater than that of the average player. Using “deception” is an ability that can unsettle your opponents. Decision-making is of vital importance and that comes with great peripheral vision.

“I learnt the body swerve from him and watching him play was an inspiration. He had played for the renowned Lusitanians of Bombay in his hey-day. He was

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awarded a Gold Medal in Latin at University and got an Honours Degree at University. In my final year at school, he was my English teacher.”

1954 – Left school and played for the Goan Institute. The players I can remember when I first started playing at the G.I. are Cajie Fernandes, Francis Lobo, Paul Fernandes, Remy Noronha, Santos D’Souza, Bruno Castellino. Of course, there were lots of others …

1955 – Represented Kenya Goans

I956 – In the final selection squad for the Melbourne Olympics. Unlucky to be one of last four to be dropped. Final Year at Teachers College.

1958 – Played first International for Kenya against South Africa

1960 – Selected for Rome: The Kenya Hockey Union realised that there were funds for only 15 players. Sikhs dominated KHU and decided to make me the 16th player.

“Pakistan toured Kenya and I had a chance to play against the Pakistanis at right half against Motiullah, considered to be one of the best left-wingers in the world at that time.”

“Well, I played the game of my life, and made him look ordinary. He never got past me. I was determined to prove myself and was congratulated after the game.”

“Col Conner, president of the Tanzania Hockey Association, congratulated me on my performance. He asked the officials why I wasn’t travelling to Rome. He was told the reason. No funds for the 16th player. He at once donated the required funds needed and that’s how I went to Rome. God bless his soul. He lived till 99.”

1961-2 – While studying in England played for Hampshire County after “one of my lecturers was a selector, and when he heard I played for Kenya, he took me to the trials. Played centre-forward and right-inner. In the County championships, Surrey had not beaten us. They were televising the first game of hockey in England and when Surrey was asked who they would like to play against, they said Hampshire. It was the last game of the season … it was rained off.”

1963 – Toured Pakistan – A great experience.

1964 – Toured India in April, the hottest time of the year and went to Tokyo as right-inner.

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1966 – “Retired as I wasn’t a Kenya citizen. Just played club hockey. Coached the Kenya Schoolboys team. Had promising results against India and Pakistan when they toured and played the Schoolboys. One of them, Sutinder Singh, played for England and I know quite a number of the Schoolboys played for Kenya, after I had left.”

1973 – Migrated to Melbourne Australia.

“We settled near Frankston. Des Piper, who played in 3 Olympics was starting hockey in Frankston and heard from Nick Stephens (who played for Impala in Nairobi) that I was in the area. Introduced us and I discovered he didn’t live very far from where I did. Played top League until the age of 41.”

“Then went on to play Masters Hockey at age 42. Represented Australia in the Pan Pacific tournament. Kept playing Masters Hockey for Victoria and Australia in the Over 40’s, Over 50’s (Captain), Over 60’s, Over 65’s, and also Over 70’s. Represented Australia in Hong Kong in world’s first Over 70’s tournament.”

“I reluctantly hung up my sticks two years ago on medical advice of my surgeon, who repaired a meniscal tear. He told me to avoid playing as it could result in having a knee replacement.”

“All I can say is, I have been lucky healthwise and still play tennis. Every day is a blessing and I live life to its fullest.”

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