Former Olympic hockey player Freddy Wilfred dies aged 93

Better known as ‘Uncle Freddy’, Freddy Wilfred Vias was instrumental in getting the Federation of Malaysia hockey team to the Melbourne Olympics in 1956. — Photo by Facebook/Olympic Council Malaysia

Tuesday, June 07, 2022 10:31 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, June 7 – Former national hockey player Freddy Wilfred Vias died this afternoon at his home in Petaling Jaya. He was 93 years old.

His death was confirmed by the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) in a Facebook post.

Better known as ‘Uncle Freddy’, he was instrumental in bringing the Federation of Malaysia hockey team to the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne. He played for the national team in the 1950s and captained the team in 1954.

Freddy was also elected secretary of the Johor Hockey Association from 1950 to 1953 and secretary of the Negri Sembilan Hockey Association from 1956 and 1957.

He also played an important role in the development of sport in Malaysia in various capacities, serving in the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports as the Head of State Culture, Youth and Sports (1966 -1970), head of the sports division (1972-1980), director of sports (1980-1981) and general manager of the National Sports Council (April 1, 1981 to December 31, 1981).

Additionally, Freddy was inducted into the OCM Hall of Fame in 2004 for his great contributions to the development of sports in Malaysia and was selected as one of 80 torchbearers for the Olympic Torch Relay held in conjunction with the Games. Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on April 21, 2008 in Kuala Lumpur.

“The death of Freddy Wilfred is a great loss for the sports fraternity in Malaysia. May he rest in peace,” said the CMO. — Bernama