IT was a sad day for Malaysian sports, especially hockey, when former national player and world class umpire Titus Havelock passed away in Melbourne on Wednesday (Aug 26).
Havelock died at the age of 86 due to coronary-related illness.
After teaching for some years in Perak, he moved to Penang to continue his teaching at St Mark in Butterworth.
He impressed state hockey selectors with his skills and robust play, and was chosen to captain the Penang state team for 12 years, excelling as a centre half.
During this time, he also made it to the national team and played among greats like the Chua brothers, Eng Cheng and Eng Kim, former national captain M. Shanmuganathan, Peter and Lawrence van Huizen, Gian Singh, former national coaches Ho Koh Chye and Datuk R. Yogeswaran, and former World Cupper A. Francis.
After his playing days, he took up umpiring in 1970 and also coaching, becoming Malaysia’s assistant coach at the 1973 World Cup in Amsterdam.
In 1985, he was also the director of development for the Malaysian Hockey Federation.
Havelock’s decisive and sharp umpiring was noted by the International Hockey Federation and that led him to appear in 40 international matches in 11 tournaments, including a Junior World Cup final and three Champion Trophy tournaments.
Former Penang state player N. Sarvaesvaran, 90, said he was surprised to know of Havelock’s death.
“He looked very well when he came to visit us last year. We reminisced about our years teaching together at St Mark in Butterworth and our hockey playing days,” said Sarvaesvaran, who earned a reputation as a left winger with a solid and accurate reverse hit while running with the ball.
“Titus was very careful with his health. He did not smoke and had only occasional drink.
“It was very rare to find a person like him who was a great player, coach, umpire and administrator.
“He commanded a lot of respect because he knew the game very well, coached very well and umpired very well.
“When he left for Melbourne, mainly to provide further education for his two young boys, it was a great loss for Malaysia. He also did a bit of coaching at club level in Melbourne.
“Titus was also a very good singer in Edwin Rajamoney and The Island Rhythmics band. One of his favourite songs was “I Did It My Way” sung by Frank Sinatra.
The news of Havelock’s death also saddened Penang State Hockey Association former secretary Nanda Gopal Naidu. They had both worked together at several competitions, including as technical delegates for the Penang sixes and sevens.
“Titus was a gentleman of the highest order. He was also very approachable and friendly.
“When I started playing hockey for council (MBPP) from 1973 to 1994, he was already umpiring.
“He was very impartial, disciplined and unassuming,” said Nanda Gopal.
R. Shanmugam, a former state player, said Havelock always gave his best in whatever he did.
“He did a wonderful job at whatever task he was given. What was more wonderful was that he was helpful. He guided and advised young players to always perform wholeheartedly,” said Shanmugam, who is now a tennis coach.
Havelock leaves behind wife, Ivy, and sons, Darren and Traves.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix courtesy of N. Sarvaesvaran