From port grounds to national glory: 50 years of Friends Hockey Association in Vizag

The grounds at Dr L Bullayya College came alive on January 31 and February 1, 2026, not merely with the sound of sticks striking the ball, but with memories, half a century’s worth, returning to the turf. As the Friends Hockey Association (FHA) celebrated its Golden Jubilee Hockey Tournament, the event became a heartfelt reunion of players, mentors, and hockey lovers who had lived and breathed the sport through its many highs and quiet struggles.

Ravi Shankar, the President of the Friends Hockey Association, sat down for a candid chat with Yo! Vizag, to reflect on the club’s journey in the changing face of hockey, and the values that have kept the game alive in the city for fifty years.

The FHA CUP 2026, organised as part of the golden jubilee celebrations, brought together teams from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Kolkata, Bangalore, Kadapa, the Indian Navy, Dynamic Club Vizag, and the host FHA team. After two days of spirited competition, Khalsa Hockey Club of Kolkata emerged victorious, with Dollar Hockey Club of Chennai finishing as runners-up. Yet, beyond trophies and scorelines, the tournament stood as a celebration of legacy, of a sport that once defined Vizag’s athletic identity.

The tournament was inaugurated by G Madhu Kumar, Correspondent of L B College, and the finals were graced by K R A Narasaiah, retired CME of the Visakhapatnam Port and mentor to the FHA. At 95 years of age, Mr Narasaiah travelled from Chennai to be part of the occasion, his enthusiasm undimmed by time. A commemorative souvenir was also released, marking the association’s journey and its contribution to Vizag hockey.

When Hockey Ruled Vizag

Long before cricket became the city’s dominant sport, hockey was Vizag’s heartbeat. Until the 1980s, the popularity of sports in the city followed a clear order: hockey first, football second, and cricket third. The Visakhapatnam Port Trust played a pivotal role during this era, organising annual hockey tournaments that saw participation from teams representing the Port, Shipyard, Navy, Railways, Police, Caltex, Catholic Club, and Waltair Whites.
These tournaments were not just sporting events; they were social gatherings that brought entire neighbourhoods together. The grounds would come alive with spectators, and players would become the local heroes. However, the landscape began to change after India’s historic Cricket World Cup win in 1983, which shifted national attention decisively towards cricket.

Simultaneously, international hockey underwent significant rule changes in the 1980s, and the shift to astro-turf fields proved challenging for Indian players accustomed to grass. Indian hockey, once a dominant force with seven Olympic gold medals, saw a gradual decline, with the bronze medal at the 1980 Moscow Olympics marking the country’s last Olympic podium finish in the sport.

Vizag, too, felt the impact. The Anglo-Indian community, which had been deeply invested in hockey, began migrating in large numbers to Australia, taking with them their expertise and passion. Ironically, while Indian hockey struggled, Australia flourished, benefiting from the influx of experienced players and coaches.

The Birth of the Friends Hockey Association.

 It was during this period of transition and uncertainty that the Friends Hockey Association was born. Established in 1976 at the Port Gymkhana Grounds, the club was formed by a group of young hockey players who refused to let the sport fade quietly into obscurity.

The association became a nurturing ground for talent, conducting tournaments, coaching camps, and school-level training programmes. Today, the FHA is recognised as the oldest hockey club in Vizag and in the state of Andhra Pradesh, proudly completing 50 years in 2026.

Over the decades, FHA adopted three government schools, providing students with hockey kits, structured coaching, and opportunities to compete. The club has conducted several prestigious tournaments, including the V B Naidu Hockey Tournament (held 32 times), the Harold Jones Floodlight Tournament, and the Chittaranjan Memorial Tournament.

The FHA’s first-ever tournament in 1976 saw the Indian Navy team emerge as winners, setting the tone for the competitive yet inclusive spirit that the association would uphold for decades.

More Than Players: Building Lives Through Hockey

Perhaps the most remarkable contribution of the Friends Hockey Association lies not just in producing players, but in shaping lives. Many young boys and girls were introduced to the game through FHA, often receiving their first hockey stick or pair of shoes from the club itself.

The association ensured that talented players were supported beyond the field, encouraging education and helping them secure employment. As a result, FHA players went on to represent Andhra Pradesh, Andhra University, and various public-sector institutions, including the Vizag Port Trust, Railways, Bharat Petroleum, Customs & Excise, and the Police Department.

Several former players eventually settled across India, Australia, Canada, the United States, and the Gulf countries. Despite the distance, many continue to give back, financially supporting tournaments and mentoring the next generation of players. The FHA thus became not just a club, but a lifelong community.

The People Who Shaped Vizag Hockey

The story of FHA is inseparable from the individuals who built it brick by brick. Among them is GSN Rao, fondly known as Ayya, who served as the founding President of the association. He was succeeded by K Sridharan and Narasaiah, whose encouragement and guidance helped the club grow steadily.

Veteran contributors like Sai Kumar and Chittaranjan played key roles in establishing the association and later played a role in the formation of the Visakhapatnam District Hockey Association, with support from district coach Shri T Ravi.

T Ravi, appointed in the early 1970s by the Andhra Pradesh Sports Council, was instrumental in creating enthusiasm for hockey across Vizag. Under his influence, the Port Gymkhana Grounds became the epicentre of the sport, and FHA teams participated in tournaments across Bobbili, Yellamanchili, Machilipatnam, and HAL Koraput.

The Visakhapatnam District Hockey Association, formed in 1981, further strengthened the sport’s structure in the city. Leaders like M H Rao, T Jesudanam, and K Krishna Kumar ensured Vizag remained a prominent name in Andhra hockey, even hosting the South Zone National Hockey Tournament during Jesudanam’s tenure as State Hockey President.

Mr Ravi Shankar: Carrying the Torch Forward

At the heart of this enduring journey stands Ravi Shankar, a man whose life mirrors the discipline and resilience of the sport he loves. At 73, he continues to work on projects with a multinational company, long after retiring from the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, where he served as an engineer.
A former Vice President of the Vizag District Hockey Association, Shankar has always believed that sport builds character long before it builds champions. During our conversation, he emphasised the importance of parents encouraging children to play, not just for medals, but for mental strength, teamwork, and balance in life.

He believes youngsters today must step away from screens and rediscover the grounding power of sport. “Hockey taught us discipline, respect, and resilience,” he shared, adding that success, on the field or in life, comes only with patience and perseverance.

His philosophy of endurance is perhaps best symbolised by his Everest Base Camp trek in 2013, an achievement that inspired many and was earlier featured by Yo! Vizag. For Ravi Shankar, physical fitness is a lifelong commitment, not limited by age.

As the Friends Hockey Association celebrates its golden jubilee, his message is clear: traditions survive only when they are passed on with love and purpose. FHA’s journey is proof that even in changing times, passion, when sustained by community, can outlast trends.