India Posts Special Cover: A tribute to ’Hockey Queen’ Elvera Britto

India Posts Special Cover: A tribute to ’Hockey Queen’ Elvera Britto

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, August 29, 2022: In a mark of tribute, Department of Posts, CPMG Karnataka Circle, Bengaluru issued a Special Cover on  NATIONAL SPORTS DAY - 2022, today  29th August 2022 at GPO, Meghdoot Auditorium Bengaluru GPO;  to pay tribute to Hockey Queen late Elvera Britto a former Indian women’s Hockey Team Captain and recipient of Arjuna Award in 1966, who passed away on 26th April 2022.  The event was graced by Sri. L K Dash, IPoS, Postmaster General Bengaluru HQ.  The Chief Guest Padma Shree M. P.Ganesh former Indian Hockey Captain and Coach ,Arjuna Awardee. Also, present on the dais were Guests of Honour, Former Hockey Players, the two sisters of Elvera Britto, Ms.Mae Britto & Ms. Rita Britto. A dedicated Video on the life achievements of late Elvera Britto was played. The dignateries spoke on the contribution and qualities of the Arjuna Award Winner Elvera Britto and imporance of the National Sports Day - August 29, 2022. 

Citation:  Elvera  Britto was born and brought up in Bangalore. She was the 5th. of  8 children  born to her parents, Robert and Letitia Britto, who  hailed from Mangalore. She had 4 sisters and 3 brothers. Having completed her early  education  at St. Francis Xavier’s Girls’ High School , she chose to be a  School Teacher by Profession.  She was involved in all Sports activities  the  Inter-School and Inter-Club matches , which were of a very high standard , Elvera excelled and proved  to be outstanding at the game of Hockey.

Seeing the high standard of Hockey and the enthusiasm of the players, the  Mysore State Women’s Hockey  Association decided to  field a Team to participate in the Senior National Women’s Hockey Championship; for the first time . Elvera was chosen as its Captain and that was the start of a hockey career which  brought laurels to Mysore State (now Karnataka) , winning the title for no less than 8 years in succession. Her skill at the game and strategy as Captain caused her to move from Club to State matches, then National to International Level.  She captained the Indian Team as well , also at International level. Under her Captainship and with a band of zealous players, they won 95% of the matches. Her name has been etched in the name of Women’s Hockey and  she was awarded the Arjuna Award in 1966 . Still young, she quit playing in 1967 owing to a misunderstanding between the Indian Women’s Hockey Association and the State Hockey Association.

Elvera’s passion for the game continued unabated. She  became President of the State Hockey Association and  with her encouragement much talent emerged and no less than 2 Karnataka Players won the Arjuna Award. Later she became a Selector for the Indian Women’s Team  and was appointed by the Union Government as the Govt. Nominee  and Observer for Women’s Hockey.  Hockey aside, Elvera was a multi-talented person. Her Oil-paintings from Sceneries to portraits, adorn the homes of her family members. She was well known for her Japanese/Ikebana Flower-arrangements  and won the first prize every year.  She won 7 first prizes , one year, and  was presented with the Hombe Gowda Shield.  She was an expert at Batik printing and even had an exhibition of her prints. She shared this talent at the Alliance Francaise by teaching this art of Batik printing. Her flair for  Cake-making and cooking most appetizing dishes, was  another  thing much appreciated and relished.

Rarely in Sport , will you find other  members of a family in the same Team and playing together for some years. In 1960 ,  4 of them (sisters) played for Mysore State at the first National Championship (Priscilla, Elvera, Rita & Mae), and 3 of them -  Elvera, Rita & Mae represented India in the 1960’s.  As they look back, they all agree that though the going was tough - be it travel conditions, inadequate arrangements as they travelled the length and breadth of the country,  to  lack of encouragement & support; what motivated them was their  joy to play for the glory of the State and for the glory of  India. Their motto was : "Do or Die  !!  For … When the Great Scorer writes against your name, He’ll ask not whether you won or lost, but how you played the game. “  (famous autograph words).

On the reverse of the Special First Day Cover it says: ELVERA BRITTO (16.06.1940 - 26.04.2022)  former International Hockey player and Captain of the Indian Women’s Hockey Team, and daughter of late Robert Henry Britto; an employee of P&T department , passed away on 26th April 2022. She excelled at Hockey in the 1960s. and was the second woman Hockey Player to receive that Arjuna Award In the year 1966. She also Captained the victorious Mysore State (now Karnataka) Hockey Team which won the Senior National Championships for 8 years in a row 1960-1967.

Department of Posts Feels proud to pay tribute to this great Veteran Hockey Player by releasing this Special Cover during National Sports Day 2022.