Football ‘Abey’ speaks of his past
The tragedy which has fallen on G.A.K. Abeysekera (78 years) popularly known as ‘Football Abey’ and better known as ‘Kule Aiya’ during his playing days, is now continuing his life in silence. Football has been his life. But now he has lost both legs. One leg due to diabetics after a terrific struggle. The other he lost whilst undergoing a by-pass surgery where a nerve had to be taken from the other leg where a wound developed.
To add to his woes, his wife Sumana, who stood by him through thick and thin, passed away due to a heart-attack. His troubles worsened when his only son developed a kidney ailment. He has three daughters who are married and leading normal lives.
‘Abey’ is now residing all alone at 53/13, Dharmapala Place, Rajagiriya. He has a helper who has to be paid Rs. 15,000 a month in order to look after his requirements. He is a retired Government Servant of the Prison’s Department getting a monthly pension of Rs. 23,000. He has to spend nearly Rs. 20,000 for his medicines. In fact his entire income goes towards his maintainance and medicines. His children (three daughters and son) do what they can to help him. The son is suffering from kidney ailment as well. In these times of the ever rising cost of living, ‘Abey’ spends his time listening to the songs he likes sung by Clarence Wijewardena, H.R. Jothipala, Rukmani Devi and Milton Mallawarachci. He also watches TV where football plays a major role.
‘Abey’ committed his life for football
In 1955 ‘Abey’ blossomed into a football player whilst playing for Cotta Park Playground and for Youngsters Sports Club, Borella. He is an old boy of Susamayawardana MV, Borella and studied English in the afternoons at Zahira College, Maradana. He played only club soccer but earned a name for himself as a daredevil goalkeeper. He has been in the winning side for over 23 games. He has played in the Colombo League and the FA Cup. He has also taken part in hockey and boxing. He turned out for Colombo Hockey Club and boxed with great dexterity for St. Michael’s Boxing Club Kollupitiya in the fly weight.
He gave up soccer due to an injury but kept in touch with the game by being the secretary of his club and later playing a major role in the administration of the sport. Abey has been the sports secretary of the Prison’s Department from 1967 to 1996. He was general secretary of Youngsters SC from 1960 onwards to date. He was general secretary of the Colombo Football League for 25 years – from 1976 to 2001. He was secretary of the Government Service Soccer Association from 1982 to 1996. He was assistant secretary Sri Lanka Football Federation (FFSL) from 1987 to 1992 and rose to be vice president FFSL which post he held 1991 to 1996 and again from 1998 to 2001 and general secretary FFSL from 1996 to 1998.
He has also been officiating as Match Commissioner in AFC/FIFA International Matches. At present he is the Director (Projects) of the Football Federation. He has also conducted AFC ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ License coaching courses. He played a key role as secretary of the FFSL maintaining a lot law and order. That role is still maintained even though he is not at the helm any longer. He provided all the information to the media in main competitions. That situation is apparently missing now. Even though he is badly handicapped he maintains rigid discipline. Even the FIFA Standards reported on this in its website Sport Business International Limited once commenting on the excellent standards he maintained.
“I never had any sickness. I never took even a Panadol at any stage. Now I have fallen into this stage.
I am seeking a quick death and waiting for the Angel of Death. Former FIFA President Sepp Joseph Blatter during his last visit to Sri Lanka in 2013, wanted to present me with an award with two others. Even to take that I was feeling shy to be present at the ceremony on a wheelchair. I must thank former Football Federation Presidents Manilal Fernando and Ranjith Rodrigo and present President Anura De Silva for all the help extended to me and I appreciate all what they have done for me,” he said. The three people who comes to see him often are Jothi Mallawarachchi, Robert Pieris and Valantine Fernando. He keeps his mobile telephone by his side always but it rarely rings. There was a time however when it was always ringing but not so now! In conclusion he said, “Whatever problems I have. I will try to solve them myself. I will never ask anyone for help.”
- SP