Behind the net saga of that European tour
It was March 13, 1968, amidst a large gathering of friends and relations, the eighteen member national team of Sri Lanka left the Katunayake airport by BOAC Boeing 747 to Tel – Aviv on a European tour. There had been some signs of the tour being jeopardized due to factionalism in the Ceylon Football Association. However, Mr. P.M.S. Wijesundaram, the energetic and able secretary of the Association who was the Tour Manager, made all necessary arrangements without delay and took the contingent in time leaving no chance for disruptions.
Football, unlike few decades back, is not a glamourous sport in Sri Lanka anymore. - File pic
Mr. Wijesundaram ensured that only M/S M.D. Kitchilan, B.G.S. David, A.W. Musafer, C. Heenatigala, V.K. Arumugam and D. Nanayakkara knew that the National team was billed to tour Israel to take part in the Pre-Olympic tournament in Tel Aviv.
The extension of the tour was kept confidential by Mr. Wijesundaram. At the Council meeting, he tabled a letter sent by the Israel football authority, in which it was stated that expenses for part of the air passage hotel accommodation internal travel and pocket money would be met by them. An additional US dollars 3,000 was also to be paid to the team. Mr. Wijesundaram had decided on his own to utilize the additional US dollars 3,000 to meet the air fare, if the team were to extend its tour to England, which he intended to do via West Germany. All these arrangements were kept confidential. Mr. Wijesundaram had received the tickets through the Israel Embassy, which covered the tour to West Germany, England and back.
The players were told of the actual itinerary of the tour only in the morning of the departure. We were naturally thrilled and excited. On our way to Tel Aviv, we had an opportunity to rest one day in Teheran. Here we saw the fabulous summer palace of the Shah of Iran, the underground palace of Jewels and the historic Peacock Throne. It was winter when we reached Tel Aviv the next day. Being unaccustomed to the freezing temperature, we found it a discomfort when we got into the field of play the first leg match in the Pre-Olympic soccer tournament. We went down tamely under the snowy conditions, although we played quite well in the 2nd leg encounter. The return tie was played one week later amidst a packed stadium and having got somewhat accustomed to the weather, our performance was magnificent indeed. There was no score for 75 minutes of the game, but we had to face defeat narrowly in the final 15 minutes and that too after my late brother M.M. Hassimdeen who did some spectacular work at goal, had to leave the field due to a nasty injury.
In a friendly match with Macabi F.C., the champion club of Israel, we beat them 3-1, In West Germany once again, we held Pallenburg, the District champions to a 1-1 draw. Later in the industrial city of Essens we played against Essens District and beat them 3-1 and lost to Hamburg F.C, a first Division Club 3-0. The team also visited the world famous Adidas factory complex and met its owner Mr. Adi Dassler.
At this time, we received instructions from our Embassy in Bonn to return home immediately. That night at dinner Mr. Wijesundaram addressed the players and asked us whether we are prepared to proceed to England and face the consequences in Sri Lanka, when we return. All the players agreed to continue with the tour to London.
We were in London for three days. We visited the Buckingham Palace and were also invited by famous Arsenal Football Club to visit their stadium and to witness a match. After spending a few days sight seeing and shopping in London, the team flew back to Colombo.
I still remember the words uttered by Mr. P.M.S. Wijesundaram to us, when we left Heathrow airport, “I know that I am going to get fixed when I return to Sri Lanka, but I just don’t care” I have fulfilled my ambition and helped the poor players to successfully complete the European tour. The Ceylon Football Association in its fury, charged Mr. Wijesundaram for neglect of duty and misuse of the 3000 dollars. He was tried by the whole council and suspended him from football and football management for life.
In fairness to Mr. Wijesundaram, it must be said that he did not misuse a single dollar nor abused his position, unlike certain Tour Managers who denied even pocket money for poor soccer players. Mr. Wijesundaram lost his position and got suspended for life by trying to help the poor soccer players in extending the tour itinerary, which the player richly deserved.
His exit from football management was a great loss to the sport. It was during his term in office that top teams from European countries toured Sri Lanka and the soccer loving public of this country got golden opportunities to witness first class football. Without a doubt Mr. Wijesundaram was an efficient, knowledgeable and methodical administrator. Players who have played under him will certainly agree with me. Those players, who went on that tour to Europe will I am sure, be most thankful to Mr. Wijesundaram, since it was one of the best tours the Sri Lankan soccer players ever made. The tour squad on that occasion was: the team – Mahinda Aluvihare (capt), Edward Wickremasuriya, Lionel Peiris, M.M. Hassimdeen (Snr), M.A. Ameer, S.M. Hamzath, M.A.V. Fernando, P.D. Sirisena, P.H.S. Albert, A. Zainulabdeen, T. N. Amrdon, S.P. de Silva, S.M. Noor, Subhani Hassimdeen (Jnr), John Fernando, Nalin Perera, Terrance Kuruppu and S. Motha. Tour Manager – P.M.S. Wijesundaram, Asst Manager – Jim Ranasinghe, Coach – Neville Abeyagunawardene and Referee — E.S. Chellathamby.
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