TAMILIANS’ PHYSICAL CULTURAL...

TAMILIANS’ PHYSICAL CULTURAL ASSOCIATION

KELAB SUKAN T.P.C.A

KelabSukanTPCA.com | 227, Jalan Maarof, Bangsar Park, 59100 Kuala Lumpur | Tel : 03-20946560 | [email protected]

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History of TPCA

1914 - 1915

On the 1st of March, 1914 a group of young Tamil government servants met and held a meeting at the Vivekananda Ashrama. These young men, feeling restive after their day’s hard work at office and wanting to improve themselves, both mentally and physically, formed a club and named it ‘The Tamilian Physical Cultural Association’. They adopted “Mens sana in corpora sana” (a sound mind in a sound body) as it’s motto.

Having formed an association, they approached His Royal Highness the Sultan of Selangor for a piece of land. They were very grateful to His Royal Highness who gave them a five acre piece of land on 5th March 1915 at Jalan Simpang (now known as Jalan Raja Muda). Although it was a swampy piece of land, they, on their own, leveled the ground and later got the services of a contractor to raise the ground three feet above the road level. These young men, most of them bachelors, made it a point to develop the ground to be one of the best in the country. Being government servants and being knowledgeable in English, they embarked on collecting subscriptions from all other Tamil government servants.

On 31st December, a recruitment drive was launched resulting in 130 members forming the membership at the end of the first year. Revenue for the year was only RM218.70 and expenditure RM137.86.

First premises was at No.4,Jalan Simpang which was lent to the Association by Mr. S. Chellathamby.

1916 – 1917

When the 1st World War broke out in Europe, the Government permitted the members of the Association form a Tamil Volunteer Corps. A special constabulary was formed consisting of 114 Tamils and later this group formed a separate unit in the Malayan Volunteers Infantry.

The subscriptions were increased from $1.00 per quarter to 0.50 cents per month.

1919

The first Club House to be erected on our ground was a semi-permanent building which cost RM1,018.83 and was occupied on 1st November, 1919. Later owing to the construction of a new road along the western-side of our ground (present Jalan Doctor Latiff) the club house was removed from its original position and re-erected 20 feet further into our ground at Government expense.

1920

Cricket was first played on T.P.C.A grounds against Selangor Club, Y.M.C.A and other teams.


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1921

Entered a team in the Selangor Football League and emerged fourth among the eight teams that participated.

1922

The first tennis tournament was organised.

In June, a fifty mile race (from Kuala Lumpur to Seremban) was organised by the Association. Fifty-three (53) competitors took part of whom thirty-six (36) reached the destination on time.

1923

The membership of the Association was opened to other races in Malaya and as a result several Malays, Chinese, Eurasians and Singhalese enrolled.

Soon, the Association provided facilities to train and play football, hockey, cricket, tennis, table-tennis and badminton.

1924

23rd March was a memorable day when the Association had the great privilege of according a hearty reception to Sir P. Ramanathan, Kt., K.C., C.M.G., Member of the Ceylon Legislative Council during his visit to Malaya. Sir P. Ramanathan was presented with an address in Tamil in a silver casket of exquisite workmanship.

1925

The Tamil Union, a separate organisation of Tamils pursuing the same objectives as the T.P.C.A amalgamated with T.P.C.A thus strengthening the T.P.C.A so that more could be done to elevate the standard of sports participated by Tamils of Kuala Lumpur.

T.P.C.A won the inaugural Stonor Shield Cricket competition, thus confirming the amalgamation of organisations was a positive step.

A lottery was run in aid of the Building Fund and a sum of $7,500 was realized.

1926

A very successful athletic meet was organised.

1929


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First time provision was made in the Rules of the Association for the election of a President and Vice-President. In the past i.e. from inception in 1914 to 1929, the affairs of the Association were managed by a General Committee which included Hon. General Secretary and Hon. Treasurer as the chief office bearers.

The first newsletter to members were sent out.

Organised the Selangor Football League for the “Velupillai Shield” in which five teams participated.

Entered two teams, one in the “A” division and another in the “C” division of the Selangor Amateur Football League competition.

The first of the series of the games against the Ceylon Sports Club Singapore was started and these series have brought the two Associations together ever since, in healthy rivalry and comradeship.

1930

A tennis tournament open to all Tamils in the country was organised and run by the Association. Competitors from 6 States and Settlements took part and it proved a great success.

1932

The existing temporary building was renovated by making considerable additions and alterations to cater for the increased activities planned by the Association. Fencing was erected around the playing field and club house.

Ladies were admitted to membership for the first time.

1933

Our football team created a record by winning the Selangor Association Football league without losing even one game.

Won the Watson Shield (also without losing a game).

Our team made a tour to Singapore and played a match against the Singapore Malay Football Association.

A.L. Henry won the “Best Footballer” competition organised by Malayan Breweries and was awarded a trip to England where he trained with Arsenal at Highbury.

1934

The football team gained further honour by winning the Selangor Football Association Cup tie for the first time and the Cup for Inter-racial competition organised by the Malaysian Agri-Horticultural Association.


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1935

Our Billiard table was bought. N.B. Still going strong and is safely stored away until we get a new club house.

1936

The first Indo-Ceylonese Tennis Championship was held.

1937

Tennis – The Association achieved major honours by winning for the first time the coveted “Flowerdew Shield” for inter-club tennis.

Another golden year for our soccer team when it won the “Treble” viz: the Selangor Association Football league, Selangor Football Association Cup-tie and the Sansom Cup (Champions vs. Rest – combined team of all other Clubs).

1938

Being triple champions, our football team was considered one of the strongest combinations in Malaya and it was indeed an honour for our Association when we were pitted to play against the Islington Corinthians who were the first Amateur English Football team to tour this part of the world. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. It was indeed a creditable achievement for a young team.

The Cricket team won the Stonor Shield again after a lapse of thirteen years.

1940

The Silver Jubilee of the Association was celebrated on 24th February 1940, with a grand dinner and was very largely attended.

The late Mr. A.R. Singam became the first Asian Secretary of the Football Association of Malaya.

1942-1945

Second World War and Japanese Occupation of Malaya – the activities of the Association were greatly reduced and great difficulty was experienced throughout the four years of Japanese Occupation in Malaya. The rate of the subscription was reduced to 50 cents per month in keeping with decrease in salary of government servants.


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1942

Our football team won the Senior Division Exhibition Cup though the activities of the Association continued albeit much trepidation.

1943

Won the Governors Cup, Football Association Cup and Sultan’s Cup in football.

The “B” team won the competition for youth under 18 years of age.

1945

The Association was very lucky to come out almost unscathed with all the trophies, records, books, billiard table, etc. in more or less good condition.

An interesting item in the 1945 Annual Report states that “a sum of $802 in Japanese currency has to be written off” – worthless banana notes.

1946

Hockey was revived and to stimulate interest, an annual competition was played between the Perak Ceylonese and the TPCA for the “A.L. Henry Cup”. The Perak Ceylonese won the Cup.

1947

TPCA won the “A.L. Henry Cup played against the Perak Ceylonese.

Cricket – our team created a new Malayan record by scoring 410 runs for seven wickets declared against the K.L. Colonials in a Stoner Shield match.

1948

Ladies hockey was introduced for the first time and friendly matches were played against the Negeri Sembilan Hockey Team.

The Club once again won the A.L. Henry Cup for hockey.

TPCA became the leading sports club to provide officials for all national Associations. The first Asian secretary for Malaysian Football was the late Mr. A.R. Singam followed by the late Mr. S.E.C. Singam and Dato P.T. Murugesu.


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The first two secretaries for the Olympic Council were the late Mr. N. M. Vasagam & Mr. K. Aryadurai. The first three secretaries for the Malaysian Hockey Federation were Mr. K. Aryadurai, Y.B. Dato G. Vijayanathan and Mr. S. Perampalam. The first secretary for the Malaysian Atheletics Union was the late Mr. N.M. Vasagam. The first secretary for Malaysian Tennis was the late Mr. V. Rajaratnam. The same goes to other sports like cricket, badminton, & etc. These people were elected during the 1940’s & 1950’s.

1952

A youth section was formed. The youth section organised food and funfairs and a variety show for the club building fund.

1953-1955

A concrete wall, work on which started in 1953 to enclose the field was completed in 1955. In addition to the concrete wall, tiers were built on two sides of the playing field to accommodate 7,000 spectators.

It is interesting to note that this was the only private stadium in Malaya at that time and almost all Malaya Cup and International matches which were played in Kuala Lumpur were played on our grounds until the coming into existence of the Merdeka Stadium in 1957.

1954

In 1954, Edwin Dutton was voted the “Most Popular Footballer” which won him a trip to England to attend a seven week soccer course.

Rahim Omar’s banana kick was taken at the TPCA stadium and the referee was TPCA’s the late T. Nadarajah.

1955

The commencement of the annual competition against the N.S. Ceylonese Youth Forum for the “Thavayogalingam Shield”.

1957

The foundation for the new building was laid.


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1958

The new building was completed at a cost of $85,000.

His Royal Highness the Sultan of Selangor declared open the Club on 16th August 1958.

1960

Our club hockey team made history when it became the first ever Malayan club side to go on a tour abroad. The hockey team took part in the Donowan Andree Hockey Tournament in Colombo where it came out third out of twelve teams. On the way the team played two friendly games, one against the Southern Railways of Madras and the other against Madras Blues.

The team travelled by air to Colombo and later returned by ship – s.s. “RAJULA.”

1961

The experience gained in the Ceylon – India tour by the Association’s hockey team was clearly demonstrated when the Association won all their 13 games and the Selangor Hockey Association Division One League title.

1962

The Division One hockey team won the S.H.A League title again by repeating its 1961 achievement by winning all its games.

1963

Our Junior football team won the Selangor Division Two Title.

1964

The Golden Jubilee of the founding of TPCA was celebrated in a grand style from 22nd February 1964 to 7th March 1964, Y.B. Dato Harun Bin Idris, the Menteri Besar of Selangor, was our Chief Guest at the Golden Jubilee Dinner.

The Honorable Prime Minister, Y.T.M. Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj in his message said:

“Your play-ground which has been the scene of many a soccer match was leveled and prepared by your own members in the early days and you are one of the first clubs to have put up a stadium in the country.


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The fact that you opened your membership to all races as early as the year 1923 show that you believe and uphold the principle that in sport no barrier of race or creed should be placed and today your teams consist of Malaysians of all races speaks well for your Association.”

1965

Our Junior football team won the title in a row.

Our Hockey team won the S.H.A. Division One Knockout Tournament.

1966

Our Ladies section which was formed in the 1930s conducted cooking demonstrations, flower arrangements modeling, fashion parades and several other activities. They organised a Saree parade and flower Arrangement competition.

1967

Hockey won the Six-a-side competition.

1968

We emerged Champions in the S.H.A. Knock-out competition by defeating the Klang District team in the finals.

In soccer our “A” Team won the Selangor Football Knockout competition.

1969

Our Junior football team maintained its superiority in the State by becoming undefeated champions.

Hockey team won the Selangor Six-a-side competition for a third year in succession.

1970

Our Hockey team had the opportunity to play against the touring Indonesian National Team who beat us by three goals to nil.

Ladies Hockey won the Selangor Seven-a-side competition.


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1971

Hockey - Won the Selangor Senior Knock out competition

- Won the Six-a-side competition in Penang

- Ladies won the Selangor League

Tennis - Won the Eu Eng Hock shield.

1972

Our Senior soccer team was back in the winning scene by being Joint Champions in the Knock-out competition with Kilat Club,

A new soccer series was started with the Singapore Tamil Brotherhood team for the “Surjit Raj” Trophy, We won by five goals to four played in Singapore.

Cricket - Our team won the Navaratnam “Shield” after a lapse of thirty two years. We played 43 games in the League during the season and lost only 5 of them.

Hockey - The Ladies won the Selangor Seven-a-side competition

1973

Cricket - A triumphant year for our cricket teams, for we won the Stonor and Navaratnam shield thus creating a record for the Association. N.B. The Stoner shield was won after a lapse of 35 years.

Soccer - Retained the “Surjit Raj” cup when it was played in Kuala Lumpur.

Hockey - The ladies won the Selangor Seven-a-side competition.

1974

About 300 members and friends gathered at 7.30 p.m. on 30th November 1974 at the clubhouse to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Association with a dinner and dance. The function was the culmination of several events with sports items that started on 29th September 1974 and ended on 23rd November 1974.

Cricket – Won the Selangor Cricket Association Six-a-side competition.

1975


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The 3rd Hockey World Cup was played in Malaysia from 1st-15th March 1975. The Opening and Closing ceremonies were held in Stadium Merdeka. A number of matches which were scheduled to be played at Merdeka stadium and/or Mindef stadium were transferred to be played at TPCA stadium as our stadium had better drainage.

1977

Darts was introduced for the first time in the club.

1979

The Association renovated the clubhouse, repaired the ground, provided a changing room and lockers and improved the landscaping of the Association’s precincts. Through the provision of additional parking bays for the parking of cars, the problem of lack of parking bays for the increasing number of cars was greatly solved. The Ladies section organised a successful food and funfair and collected over $3000.

The Golden Anniversary of the TPCA/CSC games series was celebrated in Singapore in which approximately 140 TPCA members participated. The occasion was celebrated on a big scale as it was to celebrate a successful 50 years series.

1980

A racially and culturally mixed group of 96 participants took part in a walkathon held on 6th January 1980, which flagged off at 7.45 a.m. In conjunction with the event, a Ladies Football game (TPCA Ladies Vs. Invitation XI) and a tennis tournament were played. The walkathon was a fund raiser for capital expenditure incurred for the renovations and improvements to the Clubhouse and surroundings. A ‘subscription’ Dinner was held during which prizes to the winners were presented.

On 2nd May 1980, TPCA was invited to attend a meeting at City Hall. At the meeting the Mayor, representatives from Ministry of Sports, Land and Mines, Malaysian Hockey and the Cabinet were present.

It was made known at the meeting that our Stadium was immediately required by the Government to make available for an Astroturf Hockey Stadium for international hockey matches.

1981

An Extra-Ordinary General Meeting was held on 26th March 1981 to discuss the “Future of TPCA”. At this meeting it was unanimously agreed to vacate the club provided we are given an alternative site with suitable ground and reasonable compensation. Otherwise it shall be subject to the due process of law in this country.

The Commissioner of Land, Federal Territory vide Gazette No. 2985 dated 21st May 1981 notified all concerned of the Government’s intention to acquire the land granted to the Association for a field, stadium and other facilities.


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The High Court hearing on the intended acquisition was to be held on 28th August 1981.

1982

An appeal for an alternative ground was made to the government in the Parliament on 14th January 1982 (DN 14.1.82). The then Minister of Youth & Sports gave an assurance that the government will consider giving TPCA an alternative land.

“BLACKEST DAY”

1st July 1982 was the “Blackest Day” in the history of our club, because the land office gave us one month’s notice to vacate our premises at No.58 Jalan Raja Muda (formerly known as Princess Road).

The sweat and toil of our founders and members who gave an excellent club house with a wonderful stadium to promote sports at all levels came to an end on Merdeka Day 31st August, 1982. What a “Merdeka Day” it was for all of us.

The last General Committee Meeting was held at the club on 21st August 1982 at 7.30p.m. Thus ended 68 years of glorious occupation, unsung.

The Government gave a compensation of RM 1,360,150.00 for the development carried out on the land. No payment was made for the land as it was given by the Government.

“Handicapped” - The Association was handicapped without a permanent clubhouse and ground. As such we were not active in the field of sports as we were in the previous years. However, we continued to be affiliated to all the state associations and participated in Soccer, Hockey, Cricket, Tennis and Badminton. We rented the following places for our training and friendly matches.

Soccer - Jalan Termerloh Tamil School field

Tennis - Titiwangsa Tennis courts

Badminton - Selangor Badminton Hall

Hockey - Tun Abdul Razak Hockey Stadium

1984

On 1st January, the Committee rented the 6th floor of FAM building at No. 93-E, Jalan Maharalela, Kuala Lumpur at RM750 a month. About 30 members met at the premises on Sunday, 15th January. It happened to be “Ponggal Day” and the members were suitably served with ponggal. We took the opportunity as true Tamilians and boiled milk on this day at the premises as ‘opening ceremony’.

70th Anniversary – As the Association was looking for a permanent place, no activities were arranged to celebrate the 70th anniversary.


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1985

“NEW PLANS”

With faith and hope in our hearts, a purchase agreement was signed on 21st January 1985, for the purchase of 9 ½ acres of land from the Dravidian Association.

This property is situated on the way to the Subang Airport. It is suitable to build a club house and have a playing field as well.

The Dravidian Association initiated legal action against their trustees stating that the trustees were not authorised to sign the purchase agreement on behalf of their Association. Our civil suit No: S 6-22-872-89 brought against the Dravidian association for specific performances of the agreement has been filed in the High Court.

N.B. Further complications arose in the legality aspects pertaining to this land in the following years to come.

1990

The temporary clubhouse at the FAM house had to be vacated on the 1st November 1990, as FAM wanted the place for their own activities. The Associations however continued to hold meetings at the FAS Building and at the Kalamandapam in Brickfields.

1994

Our Associations celebrated the 80th Anniversary on the 10th December 1994 at the Grand Pacific Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. About 300 members attended the Dinner and Dance. At this function, the Association took the opportunity to honour the members who had served the Association and the Nation by presenting them with an Appreciation Award.

A Souvenir programme was printed with special write-up and highlights on the founder members, past Presidents, Patrons, Trustees and contribution by individual members of our Association.

In conjunction with the Celebrations, the Ceylon Sports Club who was invited to play in the regular TPCA/CSC Games over the same weekend, joined in the Dinner celebrations.

1998

After a prolonged period of negotiation with the Dravidian Association, it was agreed in court that both would sign a ‘Deed of Compromise’ on 4th June 1998, whereby the Dravidian Association would pay TPCA a sum of RM1.6 million in return for the land.


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1999

The 85th Anniversary Dinner and Dance was held on Saturday 14th November 1999 at the Ballroom, Concorde Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. Y.A.M. Tunku Tan Sri Imran Ibni Tuanku Ja’afar, President, Olympic Council of Malaysia was the Guest of Honour. His Excellency Mr. Kesavapany the High Commissioner of Singapore was also present.

The four hundred people who attended the function were entertained by the two famous comedians – Allan Perera and Indi Nadarajah of the “ Comedy Court” . The band in attendance was the “Young Ones”.

2000

On the assurance of the High Court that the Dravidian Association should pay TPCA RM1.6 million, the General Committee decided to purchase a suitable land. On 31st January, a Sales and Purchase Agreement was signed to purchase a piece of land held under G.M. 407 Lot No: 1815, Mukim of Kajang, District of Ulu Langat, State of Selangor. The total area of the land is 5a 1r. 10p or 21,548 sq. meters costing RM1,388,475.

2001

Appreciation by Registrar – On 16th October 2001, the Registrar of Society, Selangor held their 50th Anniversary celebration at the Hotel Quality, Shah Alam. At this ceremony, fifteen clubs were awarded with appreciation certificates for submitting their Annual returns without delay. The TPCA was one of the fifteen who received this appreciation certificates. The certificate was presented by Y.Bhg. Dato Seri Aseh b. Hj. Che Mat, Chief Secretary of the Ministry of State Affairs to our President Mr. S. Perampalam.

2002

2003

TPCA / CSC Games – On the request of the members at the AGM, the annual games with the Ceylon Sports Club of Singapore were made into an annual event. The next biennial game was to be organised by TPCA in Kuala Lumpur in 2003. However, due to the outbreak of SARS, the games were postponed to 2004.

2004

The TPCA stadium which was acquired by the Ministry of Sports in 1982, was later found to be unsuitable for major events due to the lack of space for car park and technical facilities.


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