30 August 1998
Moratuwa Sports Club and its debacle
Sylvester Dias
I played 'Sara Trophy' cricket for Moratuwa SC in the late 60's and
70's alongside with other great players and I had the rare
distinction of captaining the 'Sara' team successfully.
If I may recall, Moratuwa SC was a strong side then and we beat some
of the best Colombo sides and cricket was played with lot of
enthusiasm. In retirement from govt. service I am now engaged in
BCCSL coaching camps for 'pacemen' coaching youngsters in all parts
of the country.
In today's context, Moratuwa Sports Club has nose I dived into a
hopeless situation in cricket due to the bungling on the part of its
present administrators. I have carefully watched the demotions from
year to year in the BCCSL conducted tournaments, helplessly as I play
no role in the club administration. As I live far from Moratuwa in
Ja-Ela, I am unable to help them out and neither has the present
administrators have contacted me for anything.
It was very well off, even after I stopped playing cricket and I am
referring to the period of 1983 to 1995, when dynamic Chrisantha de
Silva took up the role of president and introducing sponsorship
packages to deserving cricketers, brought up the club to greater
heights in cricket and its administration.
I am aware of the fact that Moratuwa SC organised 14 International
matches at the stadium from 1983 to 1995, not forgetting the inter
club six-a side cricket carnival, SAARC countries double-wicket
cricket competition, club socials, its Golden Jubilee Anniversary
match and dinner dance and what not if I may reminiscence. It is not
out of place to give credit to those who deserve and Chrisantha de
Silva was fully supported by the then club secretary Willet Fernando,
stalwarts Stanley Fonseka, Hyasti Aponso (currently in BCCSL
committee), Vernon de Mel, Nihal Thenuwara, Lasantha Rodrigo, past
treasurer Maurice Fernando, just to name a few and a host of others
who rallied round the club and I must emphasise the fact that
Moratuwa SC was a household word not only in Moratuwa, but all over
the country where cricket was talked of. Further, cricket improved a
lot and Moratuwa SC were in the forefront in BCCSL conducted div. 1
tournaments, and if I am right they ended up runners-up twice or so
in the premier division.
Moratuwa SC had a heavy loss in July 1995 when Chrisantha stepped
down from the post of president due to pressure of work, but when I
met him immediately after his resignation he told me that he would
comeback in a couple of years and had wanted one of the senior vice
presidents to take over the mantle until then.
Due to short sightedness of some officials, the mantle of leadership
of the club was offered on a platter and went into wrong hands and in
1996, the club lost all matches and were demoted to segment 'B' of
div.l. In 1997, the club lost all but one match and was demoted from
div.l cricket to div.ll losing div. 1 status outright. In 1998
season, the club had to be content with div.II cricket after playing
div. 1 cricket for well over 25 years.
Now, I understand from reliable sources that the president and
secretary have resigned on 17th August '98 at a committee meeting
they convened as the trustees stepped in to take over The Management.
The situation cannot be any better if the elected membership of the
club doesn't act wisely now and forthwith, and I, as a past cricketer
and captain of Moratuwa SC, could suggest is to bring back that
Workaholic Chrisantha de Silva as president and give him the best
possible team to resurrect and lift the club out of the woods. This I
suggest as the most prudent thing that any sane and right thinking
member of the club should do now.
As all leaders are prone to, my estimation is that Chrisantha too,
will have one or two critics who will no doubt find fault with him
for being result oriented, but can these critics do anything better.
If they are capable of doing better, would our Moratuwa SC fall into
the darkest era of its history of 57 years. Enough is enough. I
invite all past cricketers and constitutionally elected members to
rally round Chrisantha de Silva and save the pioneer cricket club of
Moratuwa from further disaster.
I am made to understand that on September 13th a general meeting is
to be held to elect a new president and what better choice we have
than Chrisantha.
I wish my club - Moratuwa SC the very best in cricket and a bright
future.
Source :: Daily News (https://www.lanka.net)