Finally, a book on TN hockey heroes

Express News Service

26 Aug 2011:

CHENNAI: Reputed hockey analyst-historian K Arumugam launched his 13th book on hockey, titled “Tamil Nadin Hockey Ve­erarkal” (Tamil Nadu Ho­ckey Heroes), which chronologically, and systematically, traces the careers of 42 players from the State to have represented India, from Good-sir Cullen to Adam Sinclair, respectively the first and last Tamil Nadu players to have spotted in the national colours.

Noted historian-journalist S Muthiah released the book, Arumugam’s first venture in Tamil, at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium, amidst a motley scattering of students (part of Arumugam’s initiative One Thousand Hockey Legs), the author himself, former skipper V Baskaran and journalists. Himself a keen follower of sports, Muthiah lauded Arumugam’s efforts.

“Apart from being well written, this brought a lot of memories of hockey in my time, starting from later 40s,” he commented. Arumugam has deliberately abstained from the socio-cultural angle of the sport per say. Nor does he intend to pay paeans to the sport’s rich heritage in the State. “It’s basically for the kids, part of the One Thousand Hockey League, for them to learn about former players of their State. Hence, I have made it simple and matter of fact,” he explained. But the eloquent Muthiah, who has devoted a chapter in his book The Spirit of Chepauk: The MCC Story 150 Years to hockey, offered more cultural insights of the game.

Priced at `185, the book, replete with scanned pictures and quirky facts, is sold through Stick2hockey.com, Arumugam’s exclusive hockey website.