What St Paul’s gave its Olympians

On September 5, nearly 2,000 alumni of St Paul's Institution gathered in Seremban for the Old Paulians' Association (OPA) centenary celebration. Present at the event were five Malaysian hockey icons who had represented their country at Olympic Games. Among them was Franco D’Cruz, who received a Paulian Olympian Legacy Recognition Certificate and plaque.

However, Franco did not expect the warmth and personal connections he experienced at the event. Younger Paulians approached him, reminiscing about his playing days and sharing stories about his father. Franco was also there to accept the same recognition on behalf of his former teammate Brian Sta Maria, who could not attend due to being in the hospital.

The event highlighted more than just the award, as it represented a reunion with a part of Franco's life that had never truly disappeared. The five honourees represented over two decades of Malaysian hockey history, participating in Asian Games, World Cups, Junior World Cups, Champions Trophy tournaments, and Olympic competition.

Their careers spanned multiple Olympic Games, including Munich in 1972, Los Angeles in 1984, and Barcelona in 1992. The tradition of Paulian Olympians began with St Paul's sending its first Olympian, Peter Van Huizen, to Melbourne in 1956. The values instilled in these athletes during their time at St Paul's played a significant role in their success on the international stage.

Stephen Van Huizen, one of the honourees, recalled how the school's core values of excellence, respect, and friendship were taught and ingrained in the students. These values, along with the commitment and sacrifice demonstrated by teachers, coaches, parents, and teammates, contributed to the creation of a generation that understood the importance of commitment, responsibility, and the pursuit of excellence.