PUNCHIHEWA_CONTINUE_23MAR1996

Punchihewa Must Bat On

By Richard Dwight

The unprecedented ecstatic joy, the euphoria and feelings of exhilaration brought about by the triumphant Sri Lanka cricketers, has not only given a shot in the arm for cricket here, lifting as well our image and stature internationally, but also has made tremendous all - round healthy impact on the country as a whole.

Yes, how true indeed, there is a `silver lining to every dark cloud`, something to sing, shout and dance about, just the way the doctor prescribed. However, as it sometimes does happen in this country, the `hail fellow well met ` feeling and the surging goodwill, is to an extent dampened by the cloud of uncertainty hovering over the affable.

Mr. Ana Punchihewa the President, Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka, continuing as president - which to a grateful people and cricketers in particular, was a foregone conclusion, but now must await the outcome of the AGM to be held shortly.

Unfortunately, for Sri Lanka, if things work out to the contrary and he is voted out, then it would be the most `unkindest cut of all`. It is necessary therefore to refresh memories that appear to be surprisingly short and to revive same, so as to focus upon the cotributions made by Punchihewa for the enhancement and furtherance of cricket in Sri Lanka.

It is common knowledge that when our cricketing image was sagging, in the doldrums, where we moved from one defeat to another, so much so that no right thinking person would simply have anything to do with cricket.

It was at a time like this, that the conscientious, painstaking. General Manager of Pure Beverages stepped in to give cricket a new impetus and thereby restore it to its rightful place. He whipped up enthusiasm amongst cricketers and motivated and inspired them with targets and goals, which gave rise to his famous slogans "I shall make Sri Lanka the best cricketing nation by the year 2000".

This sparked off comments, some said it was ludicrous, others said it was farfetched and would not workout, yet an other cricketer of yesteryear in pensive mood said: "there is a passion for cricket in this country, amounting to madness, the destinies of which are in the hands of a lunatic."

A foreign correspondent asked him, whether he was actually serious in what he was saying, adding that it would be a miracle if it did happen. The confident Punchihewa`s reply, was yes, miracles do happen and I firmly believe in them.

Punchihewa has begun to prove his detractors wrong, for he did not confine himself to just words, but translated them into deeds. He enhanced and improved upon the existing infrastructrues, gave a measure of importance to cricketers by providing the necessary facilities and incentives.

With a particular fondness for uplifting the conditions of cricketers coming from poorer homes and reaching out to those from the district and rural areas. Clubs too benefitted by way of financial assistance. While he established meaningful rapport with his counterparts abroad and the ICC, also maintained at the same time friendly and cordial relationships with the cricketers, assisting them with their needs.

It is through his envisaged`programme that accredited personnel had been appointed to relevant sub committees and experts from abroad had been brought down to assist the team. His deep commitment to the cause of cricket became the talking point, and sponsors rallied round him, while Sri Lankans abroad responded to his fund raising calls.

His gospel was cricket, it possessed him, to the point that it became an obsession - that he thought, talked and lived for cricket. Needless to say, that his secular and other interests, lay subordinate to his prime interest cricket.

With such a man as this at the helm, we could scarcely fail and so we moved from defeat to victory in New Zealand, Pakistan and Sharjah, travelling on the victorious road to carry aloft the prestigious Wills World Cup. Having done all this to be contested, must come as an embarrassment to him, the cricketers and to all those having the future of cricket at heart.

If the contrary was to happen and he loses by vote, then that would be a traversity of justice, not worthy of a recognised representative board such as ours. It is likened to stopping the ship midstream and abducting the skipper, reminding us of that great victorious war time British Prime Minister Churchill, who after the famous victory, was defeated at the next elections, the British certainly lived to regret it for quite a long time.

It is difficult to reconcile or imagine Sri Lanka cricket without Punchihewa, and we do hope that wiser counsel will prevail and Punchihewa be allowed to continue the good work, so that Sri Lanka cricket could rise to even greater heights.

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