KUALA LUMPUR — Former national hockey captain Datuk Seri N. Sri Shanmuganathan is disappointed with the Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) and the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) for failing to properly acknowledge the country’s greatest hockey achievement — a fourth-place finish at the 1975 World Cup.
The legendary squad, led by Shanmuganathan, defied expectations to reach the semi-finals on home soil — a feat that remains Malaysia’s best-ever performance at the global tournament.
While the team was commemorated yesterday at the Sports Flame event in Kuala Lumpur, Shanmuganathan said the absence of official recognition from the authorities reflected poorly on how Malaysia honours its sporting icons.
“It’s sad that KBS and MHC have sidelined us despite our historic achievement,” he told Scoop when met, where the event was held to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1975 team’s success.
“They should be telling our story to the younger generation. That alone could inspire future players to dream big.
“Sadly, none of them has ever approached us to offer advice or share our experience in developing the game. We’ve competed at the Olympics and the World Cup — we have a wealth of knowledge to contribute.
“We are immensely grateful to the former sports journalists for organising this function and recognising our efforts. I’m truly grateful that we’re still remembered by those who chronicled our journey,” said Shanmuganathan.
“I’m truly grateful to the former sports journalists who organised this event and still remember our journey. It means a lot.”
The Sports Flame ceremony is a long-running initiative by veteran sportswriters Datuk Lazarus Rokk, Datuk George Das, Datuk Fauzi Omar and the late R. Velu. This year’s edition also honoured 160 national sports icons from the 1960s to 1980s.
Shanmuganathan also reflected on the wider significance of the 1975 campaign, which came just six years after the racial tensions of May 13, 1969.
“Our team was multiracial, and our run to the semi-finals was a powerful symbol of unity,” he said.
Datuk R. Yogeswaran, who coached the 1975 side, recalled the raucous home support at Merdeka Stadium, where matches regularly drew crowds of up to 50,000.
“I will never forget the 1975 World Cup. It remains vivid in my memory — how Malaysians from all walks of life united to fill the stadium.
“Never in the history of Malaysian hockey have we witnessed 40,000 to 50,000 spectators attending our matches.
“It doesn’t matter who celebrates our achievements, as long as we are remembered by Malaysians — that, to me, is more than enough. I’m thankful to Sports Flames for honouring us this year,” he said.
The Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, attended the event and presented a commemorative plaque to the family of the late R. Velu, who was posthumously recognised for his contributions to sports journalism.
Among the other former athletes honoured were footballer Datuk Santokh Singh, badminton great Datuk James Selvaraj, athletics star Noraseela Khalid, and ex-national hockey player Kevin Nunis.
Adding a surprise element to the ceremony was Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs, who is in Kuala Lumpur to promote the upcoming match between Manchester United and an Asean XI on May 28 at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
Giggs presented the Sultan of Pahang with a signed United jersey. — May 19, 2025