Mumbai’s hockey and football maidans will miss Sydney Alexander, says MM Somaya

Sydney Alexander

Mumbai's local sports scene has been left poorer with the passing of Sydney Alexander, 72, the co-founder of Companeroes Sports Club, who suffered a cardiac arrest at his Bandra residence on Saturday evening. He had just returned from a MFA Harwood Premier League match.

The affable Alexander, who helmed the club's hockey and football teams for five decades, was a passionate sportsman in his youth.

He played for Companeroes that came into existence in 1970, and eventually took over its affairs and was also coach and mentor of the club.

Under Alexander, Companeroes provided opportunities to both men and women to showcase their talent in football and hockey on the local circuit.

"Sydney's keen knowledge of the game and calm disposition made him an ideal coach and mentor. Under him, the Companeroes hockey team built a reputation of being tough, tenacious and difficult to roll over. Hockey and football maidans in Mumbai will miss his distinguished presence. Adios Compenero Sydney," former India hockey captain MM Somaya wrote on Facebook. "Sydney was a bachelor, but I believe he was married to sport. He spent his whole life playing, coaching and managing hockey and football teams. Just like the late BK Mohite and currently Marzban Patel of Bombay Republicans, Sydney spent money from his own pocket to run his teams," hockey Olympian Gavin Ferreira said.

Alexander is survived by a sister and two brothers.