When N Panchanathan
finished his Teacher’s Training Course in Penang, and was posted to Malacca, it
was a great loss for the Penang Teachers' Training College and Penang State Hockey teams – they lost a
goal scoring Centre Forward but it was Malacca’s gain.
It was an even greater gain for Malacca
ACS, we gained not only an excellent sportsmaster but
also a dedicated teacher.
In sports, MACS became a powerhouse in
Softball under Mr Panchanathan. Our
Under-18 and Under-15 teams consistently beat all the other teams soundly to
emerge Champions or runner-up, year after year in the 1960s and 1970s.
As a
Physical Education and Mathematics teacher, many remember him fondly for his
dedication, and stern reproach if they slacked.
He was a humble man who never boasted.
Without the internet and digital archiving technology from which the old
newspaper clippings appearing below were found, we would never have known of his hockey exploits.
He was born on May 16 – Teachers’
Day; born to teach and he taught us all well!
Mr Pancha, may you rest in peace, Sir!
A page for the Coffee Table Book:
