Muralitharan contributes to Tamil Union development fund (29 September 1998)

29 September 1998

Muralitharan contributes to Tamil Union development fund

by Sa'adi Thawfeeq

What was most significant apart from the comprehensive address of Tamil Union president S. Skandakumar, was the magnanimous gesture on the part of Muthiah Muralitharan to make a personal contribution of Rs. 100,000 towards the club's development fund.

In an era where national cricketers are getting rich purses, it is rarely that they reflect back on the club that had made them get to that position. So many forget that it is through the club that they have gone onto gain recognition to become international cricketers.

Muralitharan's gesture took the 400-odd guests attending the felicitation dinner hosted by Tamil Union for him and other national cricketers of the club, by total surprise, that shortly afterwards, there followed a stream of donations from various individuals towards the development fund. Before the night was over the club had contributions topping the rupees one million mark.

On his heroic return from England, Muralitharan had made a contribution of Rs. 50,000 to his coach Sunil Fernando at a function held in his hometown, Kandy where he received a tumultuous welcome. Muralitharan's gesture towards his own club, moved many of the loyal members close to tears, none so than the president, who felt overwhelmed by the display of sincerity.

"I am only sorry that a club that has contributed so much to Sri Lanka cricket has been allowed to be neglected. We must give Mr. Skandakumar and the committee all the support we can to help him rebuild this club to its past glory," said Muralitharan in his response on behalf of the cricketers.

"I appeal to all club members and well-wishers to please support the president wholeheartedly in his efforts. All of us will continue to serve the club and our country to the best of our ability. We have all enjoyed our cricket at the club mainly because of the interest taken by the officials," he said.

Muralitharan also thanked the president and the members of the club "most sincerely" for having arranged the function for him and his club mates, Upul Chandana, Niroshan Bandaratilake, Mario Villavarayen and Indika de Saram. He also thanked Arjuna Ranatunga, Aravinda de Silva, the coaches, managers and other national players for the support and encouragement they had given him throughout his career and expressed extreme happiness at his appointment as captain of Tamil Union for the forthcoming season which would see the club celebrating its centenary year.

Garlands cascading with jasmines, musical fanfare, flashing lights and TV cameras greeted the Tamil Union heroes led by Muralitharan when they arrived at the Sara Stadium on Friday for the felicitation dinner.

President Skandakumar in his welcome address recalled Muralitharan's entry to the club as a "shy young schoolboy" who made his initial impression against Hugh Morris' England 'A' team in 1991, wheeling down 50 overs for as many runs and taking six wickets.

"Bruce Yardley, who was here at that time to coach our spinners said to me, this guy is going to rock world batting before long," said Skandakumar.

"Looking back on history, not only has Murali rocked world batting but last month he even sent England on a downward roll. His career however has had its challenges and distractions, but thankfully, Murali, now a toughened professional has met all of these with competence," he said.

"We have in our presence, the world's number one spinner. I am sure all of you will join me in wishing him continuing success as he sets out to narrow the gap between himself and Kapil Dev's world record, one which, we know he is more than capable of surpassing some day," Skandakumar said.

Turning his attention on Chandana, the president referred to him as the "Asian answer to Jonty Rhodes" and recalled how his lethal arm has changed dramatically, the course of many matches, the most recent being the running out of England captain Alec Stewart on the final day of the Oval Test, a wicket which had significant bearing on the eventual outcome of the match.

Of the other three cricketers, Skandakumar said: "Niroshan made a dream debut in Test cricket and I understand Stephen Fleming's men still have nightmares wherever his name is mentioned. Mario still very young, demonstrated in a county game against Middlesex at Lord's his potential, given the right conditions, and Indika, is the club's most generous cricketer. Blessed with an abundance of talent, he has the uncanny knack of gifting his wicket just when he has the bowling at his mercy. Thankfully, there are signs that his temperament is maturing and we will certainly hear more of him in the future".

The president said the club was proud of their achievements and thanked them for their loyalty and wished them continued success. He drew a brief history on the ups and downs of the club, stating that in 1940, the late P. Saravanamuttu and his team of enthusiastic members set out to construct the pavilion and ground, spurred by a vision to provide the country with a suitable venue to stage international games, and not because they thought that such a stadium and ground were necessary for the activities of a club.

The event was attended by a large and distinguished gathering which included the Mayor of Colombo Karu Jayasuriya, Industrial Development Minister C.V. Gooneratne, Singer chairman Hemaka Amarasuriya, national cricketers Aravinda de Silva, Sanath Jayasuriya, Marvan Atapattu and Roshan Mahanama, Cricket Board official Dammika Ranatunga, past Sri Lanka captains Vernon Prins, Ivers Gunasekara, Michael Tissera and prominent members of the business community.

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