KUALA LUMPUR – Former national hockey players have rallied to honour their coach and mentor, Paramalingam Chelliah, by inaugurating a friendly tournament named after the former Olympian.
Dubbed the C. Paramalingam Legends Trophy, the event is set to take place this weekend, featuring six teams comprising approximately 20 former national players from different eras.
Prominent players such as Datuk Mirnawan Nawawi, Nor Saiful Zaini Nasir, Soon Mustafa Karim, and Aanantha Sambu Mayavo are expected to participate in the tournament.
Tournament organiser M. Narayanaviswa, also a national hockey player in the 1990s, said that the tournament would be a perfect platform for former national players to reunite and celebrate their shared passion for the sport.
His committee also aims to make the tournament an annual tradition, paying homage to Param’s legacy.
“The idea of the C. Paramalingam Legends Trophy came about when I was having a drink with my friends Mirnawan and Datuk Seri Shuhaily Mohd Zain who is the crime investigation department director at Bukit Aman.
“We were reminiscing about our playing days and thought of creating a tournament to pay tribute to coach Param, who worked hard and moulded us into who we are now. Throughout his time as a coach, he has developed many players who became key assets of the national team.
“This upcoming tournament is a way for us, former players, to pay tribute to him and we aim to continue it for years to come.
“It won’t be a competitive tournament. We just want to ensure that we enjoy and spend time together as a team, reliving our golden memories,” said Narayanaviswa at a press conference today.
Paramalingam, aged 90, left an indelible mark on Malaysian hockey, both as a player and coach.
His illustrious career spanned from 1956 to 1970, during which he showcased his exceptional skills and leadership on the field.
At the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, he was among the top scorers, netting nine goals for Malaysia.
His coaching tenure included guiding Malaysia’s team at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
Tenaga Nasional Bhd, Maybank, Royal Malay Regiment, Bank Simpanan Nasional, Ex-Malaysia, and Klang Municipal Council are among the six teams participating in the C.Paramalingam Legends Trophy, which is scheduled to take place this Sunday at the Tun Razak Hockey Stadium from 9am to 1pm. – March 8, 2024