Sri Lanka: Many sporting and social events at SSC centenary celebrations (14 February 1999)

14 February 1999

Sri Lanka: Many sporting and social events at SSC centenary celebrations

A C de Silva

A centenary calls for celebration and the Sinhalese Sports Club plans to celebrate its century-old existence in a fitting manner this year.

Two gas lamp posts donated by the Colombo Municipal Council at the request of the club are the proud possessions of the SSC, as these lamp posts mean a lot to the club as on March 28 in 1899 the club was formed at a impromptu meeting held under these two lamp posts in Dam Street, Pettah.

There was a cricket match between a schoolboy cricket team comprising cricketers of Royal, S. Thomas' and Wesley on one side playing against a Colts team comprising cricketers as the other team.

The success gained by the schoolboy team which comprised Sinhalese, gave the idea for the organisers then to name the club Sinhalese Sports Club.

However, Daya Perera, the present president of the Sinhalese Sports Club said that there was no communal twist then in naming the club - Sinhalese Sports Club. Even now, the club caters to all communities.

The club from its humble beginnings, has grown in stature and now its plush Maitland Place residence, has over 6,000 members.

With cricket being the main sport indulged in, the club has planned out many cricketing events to celebrate the centenary. However, the celebrations get a kick-start with the official banquet fixed on the 100th birthday itself - March 28th 1999 at Hotel Lanka Oberoi. Speaking at a press briefing held last evening at the club premises, president Daya Perera said that the banquet hall can accommodate only 500 persons and it will be only for members and their spouses and tickets (Rs. 1,000 each) will be sold on a first come first served basis.

There will be a raffle draw held in connection with the banquet and the first prize fetches a Maruti car, the second prize a return ticket to Paris by courtesy of AirLanka, while there will be refrigerators, TVs and other items given away as prizes. A ticket will cost Rs. 100.

The second event will be a three-day carnival to be held at the club premises on April 23, 24 and 25 and this is where most of the members can participate. There will be fun for all, including a band competition. Sri Lanka cricket captain Arjuna Ranatunga, himself a staunch member of the SSC, is expected to be the chief guest on the opening day, while Mr. Justin Samarasekera - a trustee and senior vice president, is expected to be the chief guest on the second day and Mr. Ryle de Soysa - immediate past president of the club and the only living past president, is expected to be the chief guest on the final day.

The club hopes to stage an international cricket tournament to set off the sporting activities, but this will depend on the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka. "It is only the Board who can invite international teams. The Australian Test team is expected to be in Sri Lanka this year and we are hoping that the Cricket Board will make the one-day matches will be played as part of the centenary celebrations of the SSC. We will also be happy to have any other foreign team as well," said Daya Perera.

Mohan A. C. de Silva - Chairman, cricket house committee of the SSC said that besides the envisaged international tourney, there will be several domestic cricket tourneys held in connection with the centenary celebrations. There will be a limited-overs tournament for the top 8 clubs in the city, a 30-over tourney for over 40s and a 15-overs per side tourney for those over 50s and also a six-a-side cricket carnival for the top 8 clubs and possibly some other clubs too.

Other sports where the SSC has facilities have not been forgotten. There will be a open swimming gala, tennis, squash and billiards and snooker tourneys are also been planned.

There will also be a motor show.

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