Elvera Britto, former captain of India’s hockey team passed way at the age of 81.
Elvera Britto, the driving force behind India’s women hockey team during the 1960’s, passed away on the 26th of April (Tuesday). She was 81 years old. The reason for her death was a heart attack.
She was a powerful and strong woman who overcame many challenges and difficulties to bring about change on the ice. She brought Karnataka’s domestic hockey team to a national level. She shone in her field of hockey by showing off her brilliant skills and leadership.
Hockey India’s Condolences
“It is saddening to learn about the passing away of Elvero Britto. She was ahead of her times and achieved so much in women’s hockey and continued to serve the sport as an administrator with the State.
On behalf of Hockey India and the entire hockey fraternity, we would like to express our deepest condolences to her family.”, tweeted the President of Hockey India, Mr. Gyanendro Ningombam
“Elvera ma’am lived and breathed hockey”
Mr. K. Krishnamurthy, The Karnataka state’s Hockey Association Secretary said, “Following a distinguished career where she was chiefly instrumental in Karnataka winning eight national titles in the 1960’s, she went into administration with her sole focus on enhancing the status of women’s hockey.”
Elvera’s achievements
She holds many records, like being the second woman to receive the Arjuna Award, the second highest sporting award in India, in the year 1965.
Whereas, the first Arjuna Award was received by Anne Lumsden in the year 1961, four years before Elvera. She played against Sri Lanka, Japan, and Australia, representing India. She carried the women’s hockey team from 1960 to 1967, for seven straight years.
Elvera and her family
She has two sisters who are also good hockey players. But Elvero shone the brightest among the sisters. The sister trio have gained many national titles and brought pride to their state, as well as the nation.
Elvero’s younger sister, Mae Britto said, “It’s more than 50 years since we last played together but those memories are fresh in my mind.”
On Wednesday, 27 April 2022, Elvero’s funeral held at the Sacred Heart Church in Richmond Road and her body will be buried at Hosur road cemetery.
Published By: Sachin Sonawane
