Dhyan Chand awardee and Munich Games bronze medallist Manuel Frederick passes away

The 78-year-old hockey goalkeeper was the first athlete from Kerala to win an Olympic medal, a feat which he accomplished in the 1972 Munich Games.

Major Dhyan Chand awardee and former men's hockey team goalkeeper Manuel Frederick, who was member of India's 1972 Munich Olympics bronze medal-winning team, passed away in Bengaluru on Friday (October 31).

The 78-year-old is survived by two daughters.

He had been suffering from prostate cancer for a the last 10 months.

Born on October 20, 1947 in Kannur, Frederick was the first athlete from Kerala to win an Olympic medal.

The only other sportsperson from the state to win Olympic medals is P R Sreejesh, who won bronze in Tokyo and Paris Olympics.

Sreejesh offered condolences for the bereaved soul with a post on social media.

"The man who stood tall between the posts now rests among legends. Thank you for inspiring generations. Rest in peace, legend," Sreejesh said on X.

He had received the Major Dhyan Chand Award for Lifetime Achievement in Sports and Games in 2019.

Frederick, who had moved to Bengaluru long back, was also suffering from depression after his wife, Sheetala passed away a year back.

"Dad passed away this morning. He was suffering from cancer for the last 10 months and was also depressed after our mother expired a year back," his daughter Freshna was quoted as saying by PTI news agency.

Frederick made his India debut in 1971 and his goalkeeping brilliance was noticed very next year in the Munich Olympics. He played for the national team till 1978 and featured in two World Cups as well.

Frederick also had the distinction of helping his team win 16 national championships in tie-breakers.

(with inputs from agencies)