Former Indian Olympian Manuel Fredrick Passes Away at 78 After Battling Cancer

Former Indian hockey goalkeeper and Olympian Manuel Fredrick, who represented the country at the 1972 Munich Olympics, passed away at a private hospital in Bengaluru after a prolonged battle with prostate cancer. He was 78 years old.

Fredrick’s journey in hockey began when he joined the Army’s school hockey team in Bengaluru, marking the start of a remarkable career that spanned over several years. At the club level, he turned out for ASC, HAL, Services, Uttar Pradesh, and the legendary Mohun Bagan club, becoming a well-known figure in Indian domestic hockey.

He was born on October 20, 1947, in Kannur, Kerala. Fredrick made history as the first hockey player from Kerala to represent India at the Olympics. Known for his fearless style of play, he earned the nickname ‘Tiger’ among teammates and opponents alike for his sharp reflexes and ability to stop penalty strokes under pressure and guard the goal.

He made his international debut in 1971 and went on to guard India’s goalpost for seven years, featuring in two Hockey World Cups,  in the Netherlands (1973) and Argentina (1978). His consistency and calm under pressure made him one of the most dependable goalkeepers of his era.

In recognition of his contributions to Indian hockey, Fredrick was conferred the Dhyan Chand Award for Lifetime Achievement by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in 2019.

The Indian hockey community has expressed deep sorrow at his passing, remembering him as a player who inspired generations with his passion, discipline, and resilience on the field.