New NCC President Marlon Ranasinghe recalls his glorious cricketing past
“My relationship with Nondescripts Cricket Club started way back in 1973 as a young cricketer after winning the Big Match for my College St. Peter’s. Then I played my first season in the Division One team for the club under former Sri Lankan skipper Michael Tissera in 1974 and 1975. That season we were a victorious side as we went on to become Division One champions thus claiming the Sara Trophy.
Marlon Ranasinghe addressing the gathering at the NCC
“Thereafter in 1975 and 1976 under the leadership of Sri Lankan cricketer Ranjith Fernando, we emerged champions again.
“Our team consisted of players like Tony Opatha, the Jeganathan brothers, Nimal Ranchagoda, my Big Match buddy Victor Mahendran, Mervyn Fernando, Lalith Perera, Carlton Bernadus and young Ranjan Madugalle. These are a few players that I can recall.
“In 1993 I joined the NCC committee. After Ranjith Fernando, I am the longest serving committee member up to now. I have served the club as a committee member for almost 25 years taking up various posts as vice-president for the last three years.
“I would like to mention that NCC became a stable club after Chanaka De Silva took over as president in 1996, 1977 and 1988. He laid the foundation for the NCC swimming pool and now it has become a swimming complex.
“I still remember to raise funds we gave life memberships for Rs. 5000. I was the first person to introduce Julian Bolling to the pool, which was the ideal choice at that time. “Under Elmo De Silva’s presidency we built the first dormitory for outstation cricketers. This was a crucial steppingstone for NCC as we prospered in retaining good, talented cricketers in the club.
“I will not mention any names of some of the boys who were felicitated are Sri Lankan cricketers now, which means NCC has reached the pinnacle in the sport.“I hope all NCC members will rally around me to continue doing great things for the club like our past presidents.” In conclusion Marlon thanked the immediate past president Lucky Fernandes and his committee members for giving him the opportunity to take over NCC for the year 2015 and 2016. He also thanked all members who attended the 126th AGM.
Following are the office-bearers:
President: Marlon Ranasinghe
Vice Presidents: Gladwyn Anandappa, Lalith Ganlath, Suwan Perera
General Secretary: Laurence Rathnasabapathy
Assistant General Secretary: Ravindranath Liyanage
Treasurer: Chandika Liyanage
Asst. Treasurer: Asanka Wimalaratna
Cricket Secretary: Hiram Parathalingam
Bar Secretary: Suranga Silva
Swimming Secretary: Peter Jasinghe
Tennis Secretary: Kavadas Rajkumar
Billiards Secretary: Ranjan Paiva
Badminton/Gym Secretary: Rohan Ratnayake
Social/Pavilion Secretary: Dewaka De Silva
Ground Secretary: Rukshan Wickremasinghe
Committee Members: Marlon Fernandopulle, Gamini Wijitha Hettiarachchi, Paul Fonseka, Nominated Past Presidents: Ranjith Fernando, Camillus Abeygoonewardena
Immediate Past President: Lucky Fernandez.