Ramesh Patel is one of New Zealand‘s most recognised Indian sportsmen and administrators. His natural flair for sports and administrative and teaching ability have seen him record several impressive achievements for himself, the organisations he has represented and the country over the past many decades.
Ramesh Unka Patel was born in 1953 in Auckland and started playing hockey for the St Lukes Hockey Club in 1963.
He soon gained a place in the Auckland Hatch Cup and the New Zealand Hatch Club Tournament teams commencing an illustrious career that propelled him into national and international recognition that brought him glory and fame.
Ramesh is also an accomplished cricketer, playing mostly for Cornwall Cricket Club with a short stint with Auckland Indian Sports Club.
In 1971, he was selected to play in the Auckland Under 21 Team, playing for the Brabin Cup. His performance gained him selection to the 1972 New Zealand Under 21 Brabin Cup Tournament Team.
In the same year, Ramesh was nominated and conferred the ‘New Zealand Herald Junior Sportsman of the Year’ award. From then on, he was committed to play hockey for Auckland and New Zealand.
He obtained his graduate degree (BSc in Science and Mathematics) in 1975, followed by a Diploma in Teaching. This allowed him to pursue a teaching career, at the Pukekohe High School (School Master) from 1977 to 1979 and at the prestigious Auckland Grammar from 1980 to 1988.
Accomplished Coach
In 1989, Ramesh was appointed Chief Executive of New Zealand Hockey Federation, a position he held for 20 years, before stepping aside to take up a new role with Hockey New Zealand as the Director, to oversee high performance, coaching and development aspects of the sport.
This allows Ramesh to deal directly with the Black Sticks and their programmes.
Ramesh is an accomplished hockey coach. In 1993, he received the ‘Trevor Hatherton Memorial Scholarship.’ From 1997 to 1983, he coached First XI Hockey teams at Pukekohe High School and Auckland Grammar, winning four Rankin Cup titles, an Indian Shield title and an Olympic Stick title.
He has been coaching Hockey at junior and premier club level since 1991.
Career Highlights
His achievements in hockey were as follows: 1. The Auckland Hockey Team (from 1972 to 1986 and its Captain from 1981 to 1986), playing a total of 203 caps for Auckland 2. The New Zealand Hockey Team (from 1972 to 1986 and its Vice Captain from 1981 to 1986), playing a total of 123 caps for New Zealand 3. Selected to play in four Olympic Teams (1972, 1976, 1980 and 1984) and 4. Selected to play in four World Cup teams (1973, 1975, 1982 and 1986).
Ramesh has been a member of the New Zealand Indian Sports Association (NZISA) and a representative of hockey teams since 1983, captaining and playing in a number of provincial and international fixtures. He also played for the 1973 NZISA Representative team.
He has played hockey for the Pukekohe Indian Sports Club at the NZISA Queen’s Birthday Tournament.
He received the Queen’ Service Medal in 1988 for his achievements and contributions to Hockey.
Ramesh is the son of Jamnaben Unka Patel and the late Fakirbhai Unka Patel. Marred to Pani, the couple have three children – Sanjay, Anita and Sharmina, all have a passion for Hockey.
Editor’s Note: The above article appeared in a publication of the Indian Sports Association reproduced with gratitude to them.
Ramesh Patel will be a Guest of Honour at the Indian Newslink Indian Sports Awards 2012 presentation ceremony and dinner, scheduled to be held at the ASB Stadium in Kohimarama, Auckland on May 12, 2012.
