How the years pass by and in spite of 56 years gone by, the memory lingers on.

I was selected to represent the Kenya National Field Hockey team at the 1960 Olympic Games held in Rome.

When you are residence at the Olympic Village you feel like a star. However, amongst the several hundred athletes there are small stars and big stars, but if one is lucky you may accidently bump into one of the well known GREAT STARS.

All teams would take the busses from the village to various venues for regular practice sessions and it so happened that one particular day we were all returning to the village. I was in the company of the late Anthony Vaz, the late Egbert Fernandes, and Cajie D'Souza who now resides in Australia

Immediately behind was another group and talking quite loudly. We were struck by one particular voice and turned around to see who it was. It came from a handsome young athletic whom we all knew then as Cassius Clay. He was in high spirits and when we all turned around to greet him gently he modestly stretched out his massive hands to reciprocate.

We asked him whether we could have a photo taken with him and he willingly obliged. My only regret is that I'm not in the picture, as it was at the spur of the moment that Egbert who had his camera around his neck, yanked it off and shoved it into my hands and said make it quick and snap

I can remember very distinctly what he said to all of us in his typical manner Quote You can now take a picture of me now, but the next time, (he demonstrated with a hand gesture), that it will be with the Gold Medal around this neck Unquote

How very true - he went on to win the Gold Medal at this 1960 Olympics and the rest is the history we all know.

He has been to many athletics all over the world a legend and a role model, who are today saddened by his death but the great Muhammad Ali will remain in our hearts forever as one of the greatest Boxer and Athletic of ALL TIME.

May his Soul Rest In Peace.

Hilary Fernandes, lives in Toronto, Canada, and represented Kenya in Field Hockey at the 1960, 1964 & 1968 Summer Olympics

Anthony Vaz passed away on August 7, 1982, in the UK

Egbert Fernandes passed away November 6, 2014 – click here for tribute page

Excerpt from Dr. Ribeiro Goan School Ex-Students, Canada 12th Reunion Brochure Toronto Sept 15, 2012, article on Olympics by Norman Da Costa

“Among those who achieved Olympic glory were brothers Hilary and Leo Fernandes, Silu Fernandes, Reynolds de Souza, Alu Mendonca, the late Anthony Vaz and brothers Edgar and Egbert Fernandes.

Two of our students who wrote their names into Kenya’s Olympic annals were Vaz and Mendonca. Vaz, a classy right fullback, was given the unique honour of flag-bearer when Kenya made its Olympic debut in Melbourne in 1956. No other Goan has since been accorded that honour. “