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Hockey Queen Elvera Britto
India Post Special Cover
Tribute to 'Hockey Queen' Elvera Britto
India Post, Karnataka Circle, Bengaluru issued a Special Cover on National Sports Day - 2022, August 29, 2022 at Meghdoot Auditorium, Bengaluru GPO; to pay well deserved tribute to Hockey Queen late Elvera Britto (with Konkani roots of Mangalore) a former Indian women’s Hockey Team Captain and recipient of Arjuna Award in 1966; she passed away on 26th April 26, 2022. Sri. L K Dash, IPoS, Postmaster General Bengaluru HQ garaced the event. The Chief Guest Padma Shree M. P.Ganesh former Indian Hockey Captain and Coach , a Arjuna Awardee. Also, present on the dais were Guests of Honour, Former Hockey Players, the two sisters of Elvera Britto, Ms.Mae Britto & Ms. Rita Britto. An Interesting Video on the life achievements of late Elvera Britto was screened. The dignateries spoke on the contribution and qualities of the Arjuna Award Winner Elvera Britto and imporance of the National Sports Day - August 29, 2022.
Brief Citation : Elvera Britto was born and brought up in Bangalore. She was the 5th of 8 children, her parents Robert and Letitia Britto hailed from Mangalore. She had 4 sisters and 3 brothers. Having completed her education at St. Francis Xavier’s Girls’ High School , she became a School Teacher by Profession. She was involved in all Sports activities the Inter-School and Inter-Club matches , which were of a very high standard , Elvera excelled and proved to be outstanding in the Hockey arena.
The Mysore State Women’s Hockey Association formed a Team to participate in the Senior National Women’s Hockey Championship; for the first time . Elvera was chosen as its Captain and that was the start of a hockey career which brought laurels to Mysore State (now Karnataka) , winning the title for no less than 8 years in succession. Her skill at the game and strategy as Captain caused her to move from Club to State matches, then National to International Level. She captained the Indian Team as well , also at International level. Under her Captainship and with a band of zealous players, they won 95% of the matches. Her name has been etched in the name of Women’s Hockey and she was awarded the Arjuna Award in 1966 .
Elvera became President of the State Hockey Association and with her encouragement much talent emerged and no less than 2 Karnataka Players won the Arjuna Award. Later she became a Selector for the Indian Women’s Team and was appointed by the Union Government as the Govt. Nominee and Observer for Women’s Hockey. Hockey aside, Elvera was a multi-talented person. Her Oil-paintings from Sceneries to portraits, adorn the homes of her family members. She was well known for her Japanese/Ikebana Flower-arrangements and won the first prize every year. She won 7 first prizes , one year, and was presented with the Hombe Gowda Shield. She was an expert at Batik printing and even had an exhibition of her prints. She shared this talent at the Alliance Francaise by teaching this art of Batik printing. Her flair for Cake-making and cooking most appetizing dishes, was another thing much appreciated and relished.
Rarely in Sport , will you find other members of a family in the same Team and playing together for some years. In 1960 , 4 of them (sisters) played for Mysore State at the first National Championship (Priscilla, Elvera, Rita & Mae), and 3 of them - Elvera, Rita & Mae represented India in the 1960’s. As they look back, they all agree that though the going was tough - be it travel conditions, inadequate arrangements as they travelled the length and breadth of the country, to lack of encouragement & support; what motivated them was their joy to play for the glory of the State and for the glory of India. Their motto was : "Do or Die !! For … When the Great Scorer writes against your name, He’ll ask not whether you won or lost, but how you played the game. “ India Posts fittingly paid tribute to this great Veteran Hockey Player by releasing this Special Cover during National Sports Day 2022.
- Ivan Saldanha-Shet.
