P Epasinghe: When the BCCSL honoured the men who mattered (16 Jul 1998)

16 July 1998

When the BCCSL honoured the men who mattered

By Premasara Epasinghe

It was undoubtedly a memorable day for the cricket fraternity in Sri Lanka on July 6. Festive atmosphere filled the Golden Ballroom of Hotel Lanka Oberoi recently when Gold Awards were presented to those men who toiled hard, with dedication to promote the game of cricket in Sri Lanka on and off the field.

The Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka must be congratulated in recognising, appreciating and honouring the outstanding services rendered by the cricketing personalities. The groundsmen, media personnel, commentators, umpires, cricket administrators, past and present captains received Gold Awards on this historic occasion to mark the Golden Jubilee of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka and 50 years of Sri Lanka's Independence which also coincides with the Board's historic occasion.

The decor depicted the cricket culture. Mr. Thilanga Sumathipala the President of the BCCSL and his committee were there to receive the award winners and distinguished guests. The presence of the three teams who participated in the Nidahas Trophy - New Zealand, India and Sri Lanka added more colour and lustre to the glittering ceremony. The Golden Ballroom was filled to capacity.

The stage was all set for the presentation of awards. Prof. G. L. Peiris Justice, Constitutional Affairs, Ethnic Affairs and National Integration Minister, Deputy Minister of Finance, Mahinda Rajapakse Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, S. B. Dissanayake Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs graced this historic event. Mrs. Srima Dissanayake too was present to see her husband the late Gamini Dissanayake's mission in cricket becoming a reality.

Three dynamic Past President of the BCCSL P. I. Peiris, Lakshman Jayakody Minister of Cultural Affairs, and Parliamentarian Tyronne Fernando received the Gold Awards.

Thilanga Sumathipala, present president too received a gold award.

Arun Dias Bandaranaike, the Master of Ceremonies was at his brilliant best and compered the show with great finesse.

It was a day to remember. Past Sri Lankan cricket captains, Vernon Prins, C. I. Gunesekera, Michel Tissera, Anura Tennekoon Duleep Mendis, Ranjan Madugalle and present cricketers Arjuna Ranatunga, Roshan Mahanama and Aravinda de Silva were all there to receive their awards.

Among those who received the Gold Awards were former Warden S. Thomas' College, Mt. Lavinia Neville De Alwis, Educationist par excellence and Chandra Schaffter, a double international (cricket and hockey) who excelled a fine opening bowler in the early 1950s. They were proud to receive their awards from another great Old Thomian Prof. G. L. Peiris. Among the cricket administrators, to name a few, Nisal Senaratne, Neil Perera and Nuski Mohammed, who did yeomen service in the sphere of cricket administration were presented with the Gold Awards.

Unfortunately, there were a few award winners, who did not turn up and definitely they missed a lot.

In his inimitable style Prof. G. L. Peiris kept the distinguished gathering spellbound. "Our cricketers have made our task easy. When we represent the Government abroad in an international forum, we are highly recognised and respected, thanks to our World Champions. On behalf of the Government, I say a big thank you to them".

Mr. S. B. Dissanayake - Minister of Sports in his usual charismatic style, paid a glowing tribute to the BCCSL for their decision to honour the Sri Lanka cricketers and the game of cricket.

Outstanding coaches W. A. N. Silva and Nelson Mendis, Umpire K. T. Francis and the present cricket manager cum international cricket commentator Ranjit Fernando who moulded most of the present Test cricketers to where they are today, also received the Gold Awards. Others who received awards were Shelley Wickremasinghe and Rahuman Hathy.

For the first time in the history of the BCCSL, three groundsmen - Junaid, Omar Deen of Bloomfield fame, and Alagasamy were honoured on a public platform. Each of them received a sum of Rs. 50,000 and a Gold Award each. Well done BCCSL!

As one of the recipients of a Gold Award, my wife and I had the proud privilege of sitting with my cricket coach, the evergreen Gerry Gooneratne, former Benedictine, Saracens and Tamil Union cricketer, sport journalist and present Sports Editor of the Daily News Elmo Rodrigopulle, Deputy Sports Editor, Daily News, Sa'adi Thawfeeq and his wife, Sandun Prematilake, Palitha Perera, my colleague, reputed Sinhala commentator and his wife, umpiring brothers Herby and Alan Felisinger and Errol Seneviratne at one table. It was a very happy reunion as we went down memory lane.

It was a touching moment for me when Arun announced my name and introduced me as the "Voice of Cricket in Sri Lanka." With thunderous applause and oration I received my Gold Award from the President of the Board of Control for Cricket Mr. Thilanga Sumathipala. The Indian team were occupying the adjoining table. Among those who congratulated me, were Ajay Jadeja, who walked up to me and wished me, Sachin Tendulkar, Saurav Ganguly, Mohammad Azharudeen and Anil Kumble. It was a moment I will never forget.

A big bouquet should be paid to the Board of Control for cricket in Sri Lanka for organising a fine ceremony of this nature to recognise those who helped to promote cricket in Sri Lanka.

Source :: Daily News (https://www.lanka.net)