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Sports

Coaches have to be counsellors - K.L.F. Wijedasa
By Bernie Wijesekera
"At present 80 percent of the athletes are from the rural areas. They must be guided correctly not only with the skills, but also with the behaviour on and off the field", said K.L.F.Wijedasa, former Sri Lanka's national athlete and coach in an interview with The Sunday Times.

"These rural sportsmen will be competing in a different atmosphere. Coming from a quiet village life to the hurly burly of city life, which is not akin to them", he said. Wijedasa with a degree from the University of Colombo is quite aware of the social aspect of the rural youth. He has coached Ananda and Royal with much success, that too at grassroots level.

At present he leads a quiet life, but still good enough to give his expertise for the development of the sport.

Q: What have you got to say about the deteriorating standard of discipline apparently among some of the present-day athletes? Most of the athletes hail from the villages in comparison to city life.
A: "To overcome this there should be a Culture Shop to educate them in areas where they are found wanting.

The coaches have to play the role of counsellors. They must be taught to maintain their dignity at all times. Some of them misconduct themselves apparently due to their ignorance. They must be taught the Do's and the Don'ts. Must be taught even how to handle the media.

Outbursts are not the answer. They have shortcomings and have forgotten how they started life. At times, too demanding without performing. This is not confined to athletics alone, but in other sports, too. Yes.

They must be educated. Present day athletes are enjoying better facilities and more international exposure unlike the past athletes, who had to grind and even make personal sacrifices to be in the limelight. Duncan White was one of them - the first Olympic medal winner at the Wembley Olympics in 1948. He hadn't the money to buy a pair of joggers. Duncan White testified to this effect when in the company of evergreen Eddie Gray, who was a member of the '48 Olympic team (boxing).

Later, Gray was the Secretary of the N.O.C. with V.A.Sugathadasa as president. Both went for the Munich Olympics on their own in 1972. Unlike the present-day officials, enjoying themselves to the hilt at the expense of the Ministry or the controlling body. They enjoy a 'Carry on Series' apparently with the backing of the politicians. Susanthika Jayasinghe was confronted with problems in the past for reasons best known to herself. At this juncture Daham Wimalasena performed the rescue-act. She was motivated in the areas, which need help - counselling. In the end won the second Olympic medal for Sri Lanka at the Sydney Games".

Humble Athletes
Wijedasa agreed that it was proper counselling that paved her to win the medal. Wickremasinghe Wimalasasa - the humble athlete from Alawwa Central is a good example for the present-day athletes to emulate. Running around without running shoes, (in Alawwa) he displayed his sprinting prowess. It paved his way to join the Army . He never looked back after he was picked for the Asian Games in Bangkok in 1966. His rise to fame in the international scene thanks to the Army discipline.

The advice afforded to him by Drs. H.S.R. Gunawardena and Maj. Gen. C. Thurairaja. He was attached to the Gemunu Regiment. His superiors Brig. John Halangoda and Col. Willie Balthazaar - who nursed and nurtured him to emerge as a famed international athlete. He is ever grateful to them.

He was running in an era where athletes of the calibre of old Royalist, Darell Lieversz, Lakshman de Alwis, Premachandra, Amaradasa, Gunadasa, Kosala Sahabandu, Sunil Gunawardena. In the Teheran Asiad - 1974 - Sri Lanka athletes created a new milestone in the longer relay - 3 min. 7.09 secs - a 'gold'. In the same games he won the 'gold' for the 400m.

Wijedasa's suggestions pertaining to a workshop for the athletes and proper counselling is the panacea for the prevailing ills in sports put aside athletics.

Weather-beaten
Wimaladasa now in retirement a weather beaten soldier - cum dazzling sprinter during his time. He signed off as a Lt. Col. in the Army. A just reward for his total commitment doing proud for the Army and for the country. He really sweated to achieve this without lavish rewards unlike the present day athletes. Despite regular international contests the sport has not made much headway in recent times.

Still the same old wine in a new bottle. Where is the development squad - athletes waiting on the wings. Do they get an opportunity for exposure to compete in the meets conducted in the region, than going for medal chasing spree against sub-standard opposition. Some of the athletes have been on the track for too long.

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