KUALA LUMPUR: Former national player S. Sivabalan, 59, died during a hockey match in Ipoh today.
His death was confirmed by Malaysia Hockey Confederation (MHC) deputy president Prof Datuk Dr S. Shamala.
He had collapsed at 3.30pm while playing a match commemorating the 125th anniversary of the Royal Ipoh Club at the Perak Sikh Union Club.
"His friends were with him when he suddenly collapsed while playing hockey.
"They tried to provide emergency resuscitation but he did not show any response," she said when contacted by Bernama.
Olympian Maninderjit Singh said: "A great player and a good friend.
"He was my first roommate in the national team. We also played together for the Klang Municipal Council (MPK)," said Maninderjit.
Sivabalan was part of the national hockey team in the 1980s and also played for Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) in the 1990s.
The former defender was famous for his mini flicks.
After he had retired from playing professionally, he coached and played hockey for social clubs.