1975 Sri Shan honoured

By Haresh Deol

PETALING JAYA: It's Datuk N. Srishanmuganathan from now on.
The former hockey international, better known as Sri Shan, will be conferred the Darjah Datuk Paduka Mahkota Perak (DPMP) in conjunction with Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah's 83rd birthday celebration.
Born on Jan 2, 1947, Srishanmuganathan is best remembered for skippering the national team at the 1975 World Cup in Kuala Lumpur.
The team, which included the likes of M. Mahendran, Datuk Poon Fook Loke, K. Balasingam and A. Francis, produced a sensational performance to overcome defending champions Holland 2-1 in the last group match at the Kilat Club ground.
Azlan Shah, who was the Malaysian Hockey (MHF) vice-president then, even shed tears of joy as the team booked a date with India in the semifinals.
The national side put up a gusty performance before going down 3-2 to India in the semifinals. It was Malaysia's best achievement in the World Cup.
Sri Shan also represented the country at the 1970 Asian Games, the 1972 and 1976 Olympic Games and played in the 1973 and 1978 World Cups.
He was national coach from 1987-88.
Receiving a similar award is MHF deputy-president Datuk Nur Azmi Ahmad.