Datuk G. Vijayanathan is synonymous with Malaysian hockey and was the umpire at the inaugural Junior World Cup in France in 1979.
He has served the sport in various capacities, most notably as the longest-serving secretary of the Malaysia Hockey Federation (now Confederation) for 26 years from 1959.
When asked to talk about the Junior World Cup tournament, he took a while to answer, understandably considering his age.
“ I’m happy that the Junior World Cup (JWC) is back in Malaysia once again.
“I remember that I was among the officials of the Malaysian team at the inaugural tournament in France in 1979, serving as an umpire from Malaysia,” he recalled.
“The JWC has come a long way since then, when it was played on grass.
“The game itself has evolved and is now played at a fast pace.
“But, importantly, the JWC has become a platform for the future stars of world hockey.
“The JWC is an important link in the development of the game.
The majority of our Malaysian players have come through the JWC.”
He applauded the initiative taken by the world body to start the JWC, which turned out to be another prestigious event after the World Cup.
“The Junior World Cup edition in the international sports calendar was a fantastic move by the FIH. A good move to give opportunities to other unknown countries to participate, especially for the progress of youth players around the global,” he said.
“As the tournament progressed there were more countries became involved like Chile and Egypt. Indirectly, it also helped the number of affiliates in FIH to increase in thelast four decades or so.”
Viji was proud of Malaysia presence in the JWC and added that the good administration and strong team management in our country were far better than other hockey-playing nations in ASEAN and Asia.
“Hopefully, I can make it to the stadium and watch some matches. Or not, just watch it at home,” he said with a smile.
“I do receive news from top FIH officials. They respect Malaysia as a good host and capable to handle well big events,” said Viji who was inducted into the Olympic Council Malaysia’s Hall of Fame in 2004.
At the age of 92, Viji, as he is fondly known in the hockey circle, is still attached to an old hockey stick which is placed in a corner inside his house – close to his beloved wife’s photo.
A conclusion that anyone can make after stepping into the home in Taman Kanagapuram, Petaling Jaya is that hockey and his wife, Rajaletchmy Rasiah were the two most important elements that has shaped his life until today.
It was a home well decorated with the display of photos and souvenirs he collected throughout his illustrious career spanning more than six decades.
There were also press reports about his umpiring success internationally, placed in his house.
Another item Viji said he will not forget to touch and admire is a whistle he has kept for the last 48 years.
It’s a metal “Balilla’ brand that he used during the final match of the 1975 World Cup between India and Pakistan at the Merdeka Stadium. It was a gift from his co-umpire, Alain Renaud of France.
On a small antique table, there was another material that could provide all the information one needs about him. It’s a thick 638-page book titled ‘The Memoirs of Mr Hockey”.
Most of the content was to give an insight into his Olympic and World Cup adventures and other major international competitions.
Indeed, worth a read – to know about Viji’s humble beginnings as a hardworking boy from Sentul.
He was a qualified teacher who worked for the education department until 1983 when he chose to resign. In between, he was actively involved in sports as a player, umpire, official, and administrator. The end product was about his dream – to be a successful person in the sports he loved throughout his life.
Viji is indebted to his late wife’s sacrifices for him.
Rajaletchmy who passed away on November 29, 2010, was his pillar during his 26 years of involvement in hockey as an administrator and a highly respected international umpire.
“I could not have done it without her,” he said.
“She was my strength and made me move far in my career. She was always very concerned about my job, also my health though I was away most of the time for my duties.”
She died during a holiday trip with him to Spain. They were married for 51 years and has two daughters – Anushya and Sasha Vijayanathan.
The highlight of Viji’s career was being named the world No. 1 umpire from 1972 to 1976. That made him the top ‘whistle-blower’ in the hockey world.
As a top world-class umpire, he has blown tens of thousands of times in matches over three decades.
He was one of Malaysia’s foremost Olympic trailblazers as a prominent umpire and top official when he appeared in a record nine Olympics Games between 1964 (Tokyo) till 2000 (Sydney).
During his younger days, Viji was equally good in cricket for his school Victoria Institution. But hockey remained his first choice, and he played as a fullback for 32 years with the Tamilian Physical and Cultural Association (TPCA) in The Selangor Hockey Association, Division One league.
Despite his passion, he failed to represent the state or national team. Knowing the reality, he turned to umpiring – a job he handled remarkably well, right from local competitions to the highest stage of the world.
Today, he likes spending more time with his daughter’s family and grandchildren, apart from catching up with his close friends.
But on a lonely day, his old hockey stick, the metal “Balilla’ whistle and his wife’s photo would be his company.