We will never forget the heroics of this great sportsman

Most admirers of Freddie White may not be aware that he recently passed away in Perth, Australia. The Whites were mostly centred in Kandy as their papa, a doctor, visited most schools to care for children. Penny White – President J.R. Jayewardene’s daughter-in-law whom I met at animal welfare meetings mentioned that Freddie was her close cousin.

The three Whites attended three different schools in Kandy. At Kingswood, we were tiny Grade 5 tots admiring Freddie’s action in the playing fields as how at football as fullback he kicked the ball from one goal to the other in one go at the KingswoodDharmaraja soccer final He later represented Sri Lanka at soccer.

However his forte was hockey. Having captained Sri Lanka at hockey, he had the courage to hold the mighty, then Olympic champions India, to a win by only two goals, the Indians commenting that he was easily the best hockey goalie in Asia.

At Kingswood he was an allround sportsman, captained cricket, hockey and also soccer, but didn’t follow his brother Duncan – the Olympic champion. He later joined the Army as a lieutenant where he excelled in hockey to tour India with the Sri Lanka team. I often had a chat with him while he padded up for the Army as we at the Central Bank warmed up for a Govt Services game.

Freddie’s final destination was Perth in Australia where he managed a farm. We will never ever forget the heroics of this ever smiling gentleman of Kingswood. May his soul rest in peace.