DRGS Tributes - Alu Mendonca

Alu Mendonca

January 5, 1933 - March 10, 2017

In illo tempore, Alu Mendonca Victor Ludorum erat……

by Raymond De Mello

Not unlike his father before him, Alu made newspaper headlines as he mesmerized the East African public and other field hockey lovers across the globe with his dazzling display of speed and stick work on the hockey field. Handsome, buff and athletic, when he played, it was expected that he would streak down the left wing and shoot a few ‘bullets’ past a usually terrified goalkeeper, ever mindful of the “Mendonca sting!” So high was spectator confidence in his ability to score, that when the Kenya team seemed paralytic and unable to function effectively, sections of the spectators could be heard screaming “....give the ball to Alu…give the ball to Alu....!”

Alu most certainly followed in his father’s footsteps. “Baba’ Mendonca, as he was affectionately referred to, was an outstanding cricketer in the early 1950’s who frequently was mentioned in the newspapers sports columns because of his superb skills and penchant for invariably scoring a century! Alu’s gorgeous sister, Teresa Mendonca-Mandricks, was also a brilliant hockey player who played on the National Women’s Hockey Team.

As most would recall, sports were not at the forefront in any school curriculum, nor did most parents place any kind of priority on encouraging their children to participate and excel in sporting activities. That so many of the Goan community actually became world renowned athletes is a tribute to their dogged tenacity and dedication to the sport that they loved. All the more remarkable since resources and facilities were sadly very scarce. In this regard, the late and great Seraphino Antao must surely rate as an icon.

Alu was schooled at The Dr. Ribeiro Goan School, where he caught the attention of English teacher Mr. Anthony De Souza, a Latin scholar and sportsperson par excellence, who in subsequent years went on to become an influential member of the Kenya National Hockey Union. Under his tutelage Alu was able to explore and expand his hockey skills. His fledgling skills were further honed at “Boge Stadium”, a roughed in hockey patch near the Railway Quarters in Nairobi, its name derived from the presence of an Indian hawker who was always on hand with his unhygienic but delicious savories! This ‘stadium’ also produced hockey heroes of the likes of Hilary Fernandes, Silu Fernandes and the late Egbert Fernandes, to name a few. Our boys, on their own initiative, with absolutely no hope of any kind of financial rewards, persevered at this venue and eventually made it to the Kenya Hockey National team, which under the guidance of Messrs. Mahan Singh, John Velzian and Anthony de Souza, became a force to be reckoned with.

As a six time Olympian ( twice as a national coach in 1972 and 1976), Alu is amongst the most recognized names in the Goan community and the hockey fraternity at large. His first Olympic foray was Melbourne, Australia, at the tender and impressionable age of twenty two! I remember being at Embakasi airport to see him off and wish him well. This memory is permanently etched in my memory!

Four years later in 1960 Alu was called upon to lead the Kenya team to the Rome Olympics. This contingent had no less than nine Goans in the squad. Hopes for at least a bronze medal were high. Arguably, this team was at its peak, and a medal seemed within grasp. This unfortunately was not to be, despite beating formidable West Germany in the opening game, but almost inexplicably falling to Great Britain, a team considered non contenders and relatively mediocre. Medal aspirations dashed, Kenya was relegated to seventh position overall, though Alu was proclaimed by the press as one of the finest left-wingers in the world. A timely and well earned accolade.

He went on to represent Kenya in Tokyo, where Major Atif, Pakistan’s skipper said he considered Alu a real threat to any hockey defense in the world. Hardly an exaggeration! His final Olympic participation was Mexico, in 1968. Alu was in his late thirties at this point, and by most standards was well past his ‘due date’, though his hockey skills remained intact, complete with an extremely robust touch.

Apart from international hockey, Alu was very active at the local club level, variously representing The Railway Goan institute, and several other hockey clubs. The Railway Goan Institute however was Alu’s favourite, not least of all because he was employed by the East African Railways for his entire working career.

Alu has earned many honours in the game, and on his retirement coached up-and-coming hockey enthusiasts. In 1972 he was the National Coach when the Kenya team played in Munich, and held the same prestigious position when the team visited Montreal in 1976. Outside of hockey, Alu has excelled on the athletics field, notably in the 100 yards and 220 yards. Three years ago Alu was recognized and honoured by the Kenya Government for his contribution to sports in the country. A fitting end to an illustrious sporting career.

In 1963 Alu married his long time sweetheart, the beautiful and always wonderful Alba Fernandes, who coincidentally was also a noteworthy hockey player. Reverend Father Frank Comerford, a close family friend and spiritual advisor celebrated the wedding mass at St. Francis Xavier’s Roman Catholic church in Parklands. The wedding was attended by the who’s who of the sporting world, and the reception was held at The Goan Institute, Nairobi. Father Comerford proposed a brilliant toast, citing amongst other things, the Bride and Groom’s magnificent sports achievements and of course referencing their very public and long standing love affair! Alu was now in the most important phase of his life, and just as on the sports field, his union with Alba was on a winning streak. They had three lovely children, Derek, Erika and Cora-Lisa and five grand children in later years added to the family tree. Sadly, Alba passed on in 2001, but her enduring beauty is carried by her stunning girls Erika and Cora-Lisa.

We have every reason to be proud of Alu : not only did he give pride and prominence to the community, but he also spotlighted hockey not only as an Olympic event, but placed it squarely on the map of world sports.

Sadly Alu passed on peacefully on March 10, 2017, in Nairobi, Kenya, surrounded by his loving family. Whereas one's passing is invariably heart rending, we will most certainly collectively find solace in Alu's illustrious legacy, most especially the privilege of sharing his fame in our life's narrative.

May his soul rest in peace.

Condolences to:

Daughter Erika De Silva: jnedesilva@rogers.com

Sister Teresa Mandricks: masaimara@sympatico.ca

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Photos

Courtesy Dil Bahra, www.sikhsinhockey.com

Olympics: Rome 1960, Tokyo 1964, Mexico 1968

M. R. de Souza Gold Cup Winners: Railway Institute : 1958, 1967, 1969

1957: South Africa tour of Kenya - Kenya & South African teams

1958 Kenya Hockey Team

Kenya Team 1959 v Rhodesia