Walter D'Souza

Walter Luis de Sousa (16 December 1920 – 23 August 1989) was an Indian field hockey player.

Early life Walter was born in Mbale, Uganda, East Africa, on 16 December 1920, where his father worked for the British government. His parents were Thomas Epifanio de Souza from Aldona and Lucy de Souza from Porvorim. He returned to India as a young boy to pursue his education, passing the Senior Cambridge examination from St. Joseph E.H. School in Bangalore.

It was while he was a schoolboy in Bangalore that he started playing hockey; sources describe him as taking to hockey and football "as the duck takes to water." He represented Bombay in national games for many years and toured with the Indian team in Sri Lanka, East Africa, and throughout India.

Later years and death After retiring from active sports, D'Souza offered his services as a hockey coach to Bombay University and the Bombay Hockey Association. In 1976 he was the selector of the Indian Hockey Federation when India won its first (and, as of 2006, only) Hockey World Cup. However, he eventually quit the Bombay Hockey Association because he found it difficult to agree with the authorities regarding the management of affairs.

Despite his health and eyesight beginning to fail, which kept him off the grounds, he remained ready to assist, particularly by coaching youngsters in poor schools. During the Aga Khan matches in Bombay, he was known to manifest his humility by serving as an usher.

He died after a painful illness on 23 August 1989. His funeral was held at Haines Road and was attended by many prominent players, including Lawrie Fernandes, Leo Pinto, and John Mascarenhas. In his funeral oration, his teammate Leo Pinto extolled his qualities and described him as "the Rock of Gibraltar" for his ability on the field.

Representing India

1947 – East Africa Tour

1948 – London Olympics

1949 – Jashan Celebration in Afghanistan

Awards and honors The Bakshi Bahaddar Jiva Kerkar State Award For Excellence In Sports By The Government Of Goa.

The city of Mumbai honored him by founding the Walter de Sousa Garden near the Metro Cinema in 1993.