Six decades later, Aldona’s lady champion to be bestowed Dhyan Chand Award
MELVYN MISQUITA
PANJIM: After representing India at the Olympics six decades ago, Mary D’Souza (Sequeira), a woman of Goan origin considered among the pioneers of women athletics in India, will finally be recognised by the country, as she is set to be honoured with the ‘Dhyan Chand Award’, India’s highest award for lifetime achievement in the field of sports.
The Sports Ministry’s selection committee approved the names of Mary D’Souza (athletics), Syed Ali (hockey), Anil Mann (wrestling) and Giriraj Singh (para athletics) for the prestigious award and the list will now be forwarded to Union Sports Minister Jitendra Singh for final approval, states a PTI report.
Mary D’Souza (81), who traces her roots to Quitula-Aldona, had taken part in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics (1952) ~ the first time India had sent women athletes to the Olympics ~ and had also won a silver medal (4x100m relay) and bronze medal (200m) at the Asian Games in 1951 in New Delhi. She then teamed up with Christine Brown, Stephie D’Souza and Violet Peters to win gold (4x100m relay) at the Asian Games in Manila (1954).
What makes Mary’s achievements particularly interesting is the fact that she had also represented India in hockey and had represented India at the World Cup Hockey in London (1953) and the World Cup Hockey in Australia (1956).
Incidentally, Mary had been selected to represent India at the Melbourne Olympics (1956), but reportedly did not go due to lack of funds.
“We are very happy that she has been finally been acknowledged by the country after six decades. Mary presently shuttles between her house in Mumbai and Atlanta (USA), where her daughter resides, but comes to Goa off and on,” said Mary’s cousin, Marie D’Souza of Aldona.
Mary, who also had the honour of training with the
legendary American athlete, Jesse Owens, was one of 12 children (five sons and seven daughters) born to their parents, Diogo and Milagrina D’Souza. Mary got married to Saluzinho Sequeira from Saligao and they have two children, Marisa and Richard.
“It is an honour for Aldona and Goa to have Mary honoured with the ‘Dhyan Chand Award’. Aldona has had the privilege of having two Olympians, Walter D’Souza (hockey), who was recently honoured in a postal cover, and Mary D’Souza (athletics). Her achievements have made us proud. We salute her and we hope that her feats in sports will be an inspiration to the youngsters,” said Aldona-based writer Felix P da Cruz.
He informed that Mary was employed with the Railways and had captained the Railway hockey team at the nationals for three years (1965-67).
Asked if Mary had received any honour from the State government, da Cruz said: “While there was no state recognition as such, Mary was bestowed with a certificate and memento by the Goa government in 1988, for donning India’s colours at the international level,” he said.
Instituted in 2002, the Dhyan Chand award carries a cash award of Rs 5 lakh, a plaque and a scroll of honour.
