STORIES FROM THE GOLDEN RUN
‘Flying queen’
Known as the ‘flying queen’, Ray Salway was Tata Air’s chief air hostess & a popular figure in Bombay hockey circle. She travelled in the flight that carried the team to London where the players jostled to get close to her. The gossip was that she wanted to travel with the players.
Dirty toilets
The Indian Olympic contingent was housed in Richmond Park on arrival. Later, they shifted to a school premises. The move was resented by Indian Olympic Association officials. Some players felt it was because of the wrestling contingent, which was ‘dirtying the toilets’.
Move to Pakistan
Abdul Shakoor was a great forward. He scored the only goal that decided the National Championships crown in 1948. But he was not selected for London. His province (Bhopal) argued and got the nod to send him. He went but never got to play. Dejected, he moved to Pakistan.
Players’ revenge
Manager AC Chatterjee was strict about everything during the two-month long tour. The liberal Anglo-Indian and Goan players in the team hated him. When they returned by ship, one of them went into Chatterjee’s room, stole all valuables and threw them into the sea, reducing him to tears.
Hook or crook
Unlike nowadays, only those who played at least a match used to get an Olympic medal then. A player, who didn’t play any match, had an idea. He stole the jersey of another and played a game, making himself eligible for the elusive Games medal.