India, Oct. 31 -- Former Indian hockey goalkeeper Manuel Frederick, who was a member of the team that clinched the bronze medal at the 1972 Munich Olympics, died on Friday. He was 78.

A pioneering figure, Frederick held the distinction of being the first athlete from Kerala to win an Olympic medal until PR Sreejesh, also a hockey goalkeeper, won bronze at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

A fiercely committed custodian of the goalpost, he leaves behind a legacy of excellence, discipline and humility. Born in Burnassery, Kannur, in 1947, Frederick's journey in sport began early when he was recruited to the Army's school team in Bengaluru. His club career saw him represent ASC and HAL in Karnataka as well as Services, Uttar Pradesh and Mohun Bagan...