By Ivy D'Souza
IN MOST places in Africa where
there was a Goan club there were always men’s and women’s hockey
teams to be found, especially in the main centres. Sport, music,
dance and whatever social activities took your fancy were to be found.
Tanga, Mombasa, Dar es Salaam,
Arusha/Moshi all had healthy sports teams and programs. Memories have
gone walkabout into the heavens and names, dates, events and other info is
hard to come by.
Below is one story, however much
it might be lacking in all the facts.
Ivy D’Souza went to St
Joseph’s Convent School, Dar es Salaam from 1946-1954. She was at the same
school for all her education. She played netball,
hockey and rounders at school. “There were no other sports for
girls in those days. Loved hockey the best. Due to financial
constraints left school in Form 2 (Standard X) 1955 and did a Typing
Course. I also learnt to sew and made dresses for my African
neighbours at TShs5/- each! Started work as Junior Typist in 1956 and joined
the Shamrocks hockey team to continue my love for the sport. This was a group
of mixed nationalities. Anglo-Indian, East Indian, Goan, Seychelles, Mauritian,
Chinese and European. I changed jobs for more money but never gave up on my
hockey - I ate, slept and dreamt hockey”.
The Shamrocks and the Wanderers
(their male counterparts) were the most loving family I was lucky to have
found. Besides many other social activities like dancing (Rock and Roll
and Jiving), I sat on the back of their motorbikes (Harley Davidson, BSA,
Matchless) and went to Ngerengere or Morogoro about two hours away for some
weekends.
The Shamrocks and Wanderers made
a trip to Zanzibar one Easter Weekend and were guests of the Goan Institute.
East African Airways, our local airline, always had
long weekend specials where return flights to neighbouring towns were much
cheaper than at other times. We had a very successful weekend with both
the Ladies' and Men’s teams doing well at Hockey and Soccer.
In 1958, I went to Tanga (about
five hours driving away from Dar es Salaam) for three months and worked as a
Typist, but still played Hockey for and with the Tanga Goan Institute Ladies.”
“I returned to Dar es
Salaam in April 1958 and joined the Goan Institute Ladies team. We practised
regularly in Upanga and had some serious games against the European Gymkhana
Club team which was the only other Ladies Hockey team in Dar es Salaam”
The Dar es Salaam Ladies Goan Institute hockey team for a
series of sports events in Zanzibar. August 3, 1958: Front Row: Veronica D’Mello,
Myra Viegas, Julie Pinheiro, Ivy D’Souza, Ida Madeira. Back row: Florrie
Fernandes, Olivia D’Mello, Bridget Figueiredo, Marie Devine, Winnie D’Souza,
Florrie Martins.
Coaches: Chic Saldanha, Albert (Patch) D’Souza and Mr
Figeuiredo with the men's and women's teams about to board the plane.
August 1958 saw the GI team
venture into the unknown
On leave in Nairobi in early 1959, I was asked to play for a Goan ladies’
team - advised to say I was from Thika; I had no idea where that was!
They fitted me with a uniform and hockey stick. I think I played Centre
Forward, my usual position. Was very impressed with Ellen Fernandes who
played next to me. Flicking the ball left or right, she was always
there. It was a fantastic experience which I thoroughly enjoyed and have
never forgotten - We won that game!
Back Row L-R Jane D’Silva
Ivy D’Souza Tessie D’Souza Hilda
Martins Lydia D’Cunha Marie Devine
Front Row L-R Ida Madeira Julie Pinheiro Linda Fernandes Florrie Fernandes Florrie Martins
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