Leo Pinto

Leo Hillary Knowles Pinto ( * April 11, 1914 in Nairobi, † 10 August 2010 in Mumbai) was an Indian hockey player and Olympic champion.

Career

Born in Kenya, Pinto later moved to Goa. At age 13, Pinto began with the hockey game and quickly became the regular keeper of his team, the Bycilla Rovers. In 1930 he moved with his parents to Bombay, now Mumbai, and attended St. Stanislaus High School in 1932, he moved to St. Xavier 's College. Later, he was goalkeeper of the Lusitanian hockey clubs in Bombay and after the Second World War when Tata Sports Club. Pinto was intended for the Olympic team in 1936, but dropped out after a serious injury. Twelve years later, Ranganathan Francis and Pinto were the Indian goalkeeper 's Olympic hockey tournament in London. Pinto played in the first round only against Argentina, but was in the 2-1 semi-final win against the Netherlands and in the 4-0 final victory against the British in the Indian goal.

Before the end of his playing career took over the Pinto Manager position at Tata Sports Club. From 1954 to 1966, he oversaw the college selection of Bombay. In 1972 he was one of the coach of the Indian team that won the bronze medal at the Olympic Games in Munich.