GLOBAL GOENKARS IN FOCUS
Trevor Fernandes being wished by then Zanzibar President Abeid Amani Karume in 1965.
PANAJI
Representing one’s country is an accomplishment in itself but consider the achievement of a Goan hockey player who went on to play for three countries across three different continents.
This is the fascinating story of Trevor Fernandes who played for teams in Goa and Karnataka, as well as at the international level for Zanzibar, India and the USA.
What’s more, Trevor was also an athlete and a football player.
ZANZIBAR
Trevor’s family hails from Gaura Vaddo in Calangute, near St Anthony's Chapel, and his father worked for the British Government in Zanzibar (Tanzania) from 1926 to 1965.
“I was born there and attended St Joseph's School in Zanzibar,” said Trevor.
Not only was Trevor a champion athlete at St Joseph's School, but he also played football for the Kikwajuni Sports Club in the first division.
Trevor said Goans in East Africa were known for sports and had their own Goan Institutes that boasts of top hockey, cricket, soccer and track stars.
Incidentally, Trevor’s family was into sports. While his father Reginald Theoten, was the national coach, his brother, Mervyn, and sister, Beryl, played for Zanzibar.
“I began playing hockey since I was 5 years old and represented Zanzibar's senior team at the age of 16 playing against Kenya, Uganda, Tanganika, Eygpt and Pakistan,” said Trevor.
INDIA
After his father’s retirement, the Fernandes family emigrated to Goa in 1967 where Trevor finished his SSC at St Anthony's High School, Monte Guirim in 1968.
“In Goa, I played hockey for St Anthony's High School and hockey for the All India Schools XI team, before going on to play hockey for Dempo Souza and football for Academica,” said Trevor.
Trevor Fernandes with the Indian blazer in 1971.
“My parents and two brothers settled in Bangalore, and I followed in summer of 1968 where I attended St Joseph's College and completed my studies there in 1972 (BSc).”
In 1968 as a freshman, Trevor played in the hockey teams for St Joseph's College, Bangalore University and Karnataka State.
“In 1970, Bangalore University won the All-India University Trophy after beating Bombay University where I was the highest scorer. My best accomplishment was against Benares University where I scored the first 6 goals of the total 7 (a double hat-trick).”
“I was then selected for the Combined University's Team which toured Australia in 1971. I scored 15 goals in 5 matches to emerge as the highest goal-scorer.
On my return from the Australia tour, I was selected for the Indian senior team that participated at the Regional Asian Games (Pesta Sukan) in Singapore, which we won.”
However, he could not make it to the Indian team for the 1972 Olympics (Munich).
"In 1972, I was not selected as I had picked up an injury during the Olympics camp,” recalled Trevor.
His last games for India were the test matches against Great Britain at Sangru-Punjab in 1973.
USA
Trevor migrated to the USA for further studies and later took up US citizenship in 1983. Within a year, represented the United States team for field hockey at the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 1984.
Trevor also attended Seattle University, where he also played football for Seattle University, and the University of Washington.
“I graduated with a Bachelors in Environmental Science. I now work as an Environmental Investigator III for King County, WA. I am settled in Seattle with immediate family consisting of a wife, son, and daughter,” said Trevor.
GOAN IDENTITY
Trevor visited Goa in 2017 and then 2018 for the Monte 50th year anniversary (class of '68).
“I still crave Goan food especially Sorpotel, fried Kingfish and Goan Chouriço. Most of the Indian restaurants here don't serve Goan food, but I recently found a woman from Virgina who makes Goan food and can ship out Goan sausages and masalas. I will be ordering some soon,’ said Trevor.
Asked for his advice to young Goans across the world, Trevor said, “I would encourage young Goans to strive for success for all that you are passionate about. Anything is possible if you are determined, disciplined and work hard at achieving your goals. Be proud of being Goan and our culture.”
