Nehru Hockey Tournament Society to present a purse to struggling wife of triple-Olympian VJ Peter.

Delhi based Nehru Hockey Tournament Society will present a purse of Rs. 2 lac to financially struggling Shanti Mary, wife of triple-Olympian late VJ Peter.

Shri Arun Subhashchandra Yadav, President – JNHT Society and former Minister of State for Sports also announced that the 71-year old Mrs VJ Peter, who now lives in Chennai, will be honoured in Delhi on 29th August, 2011 next month on National Sports Day.

“VJ Peter was an extra-ordinary hockey player. He represented India in three Olympics (1960, 1964 and 1968) wining a Silver, Gold and Bronze respectively. Since he died a decade ago, his wife Shanti Mary has been struggling to manage her big family. We are happy and duty-bound to extend a helping hand to her to live a honourable life”, Yadav said.

He also further said that the Society will make further efforts to collect contribution from other sources.

The triple-Olympian VJ Peter played for Services, and was awarded with Arjuna in 1967.

Delhi based Nehru Society has in the past also presented purse to needy hockey players which includes Dhyan Chand, Joginder Singh etc. “helping needy players has been our tradition, and by helping the legend’s wife, we hold the same again, Yadav said.

The Society will also organize an exhibition match on 29th August in fond memory of late VJ Peter. Mrs. Shanti Mary will be invited to grace the occasion, where she will be honoured.

Yadav also thanked historian K. Arumugam for bringing the poor plight of Shanti Mary to the Society’s knowledge.

Courtesy: Press Release by Jawaharlal Nehru Hockey Tournament Society, New Delhi.

Pix: Shanti Mary holding the ‘Arjuna’ award presented to her husband VJ Peter, whose photograph is displayed on the wall