Olympian Manuel Frederick passes away; first Malayali to win an Olympic medal

Bengaluru: Manuel Frederick (78), the first Malayali to win an Olympic medal, passed away in Bengaluru on Friday morning. He was part of the Indian hockey team that won the bronze medal at the 1972 Munich Olympics. India’s medal win in Munich was largely credited to Manuel’s outstanding goalkeeping.

He represented India for seven years and played in the 1973 World Cup in the Netherlands and the 1978 World Cup in Argentina.

Manuel was born on October 20, 1947, in Burnassery, Kannur. His parents, Joseph Bower and Sarah, worked at the Commonwealth Factory. He initially played football for BMP UP School in Kannur and began playing hockey at the age of 12.

He joined the Indian Army at 15, where he honed his hockey skills through rigorous training at the Services camp. Manuel made his debut as India’s goalkeeper in 1971. His goalkeeping brilliance the following year helped India clinch the bronze medal at the 1972 Munich Olympics.

Family: Late wife — Sheethala; daughters — Freshina Praveen (Bengaluru) and Fenila (Mumbai); sons-in-law — Praveen (Bengaluru) and Tinu Thomas (Mumbai).