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Sports

A walk down memory lane
Ajith, the last link of a sporting tradition
By Bernie Wijesekera
Ajith Abeyratne, who played for Trinity at the age of 15, a ‘lion’, is one of the finest products to hail from the Hill Country school. A versatile sportsman, he has many firsts. Besides playing rugby, he performed with distinction in cricket, basketball, tennis and athletics. During his time his was a household name in rugby in the Hill Capital. His exploits with the willow wielding sport has left an indelible mark as a schoolboy cricketer. Ajith holds the record for the fastest century between Trinity – Royal –100 in 69 minutes off 62 balls, in 1968, at Asgiriya and followed up with 54 in 18 minutes also against Royal at Reid Avenue.

The burly allrounder played for the Central Province and for CCC, with success. 1967 was a golden year, for soft-spoken Abeyratne, who hails from four generations at Trinity. Dr. L.O. his grandfather, Dr. Ernest (father) Ajith and his son Kishen. Kishen didn’t excel in sports like the seniors. On a sultry evening in the month of June after watching the Sri Lanka President’s XV vs London Schools Wanderers match at Longden Place, The Sunday Times met Ajith gazing at the verdant field on which the match was played. It was here that he ploughed his way over the line for CR’s success. It brought back nostalgic memories.

Q: You have a record on and off the field from 1956-68 at Trinity which will take many summers to break be it in the classroom or otherwise.
A: I won the Ryde Gold Medal Best for the allround student in 1968. Then I captained the unbeaten Trinity rugby team in 1967, coached by late Denzil Kobbekaduwa. That year we won the Bradby Shield. The team had the likes of ‘Gogi’ Tillekeratne, Shafie Jainudeen, Alex Lazerus, Izwan Omar, Samini Udugama, Sunderalingam, Mohan Balasuriya. In 1968 after beating Royal in the first – leg 5-3 in Kandy we lost the second –leg, in Colombo 19-0. Royal was led by C.R. ‘Buulla’ de Silva.

Q: As captain of Trinity you took an unprecedented decision to send off one of your players for unwarranted play and played with 14, against S. Thomas.
A: Well, one could play hard and clean. But at no stage should they play with an aim to injure their opponents. It must not be win at all costs.

Q: What was the most unforgettable moment as captain in 1967?
A: It was beating the star-studded Peterite side led by Rodney Paternott. By the end the scores read 8-5 just before the long whistle. Then, Alex Lazerus fired a penalty from the touchline amid jubilation.

Q: After your trail-blazzing school rugby career, what was your next step?
A: I joined CR and FC in 1968 – played upto 1974. I played for Sri Lanka from 1968 –’71 with the likes of ‘Gogi’ Tillekeratne Glen Vanlangenberg, Jupana Jayawardene, Mohan Balasuriya etc. and was a member of the winning team of Sri Lanka in the All India tournament in 1969.

Q: As a granite –hard No. 8, you must have played a decisive role for the red shirts – leading the pack.
A: I contributed, but it’s a team game. My captain was Hadji Omar. CR, won the Clifford Cup from 1969-’71 and were unbeaten league champs 1973 and ’74 and All India champions in 1973.

Q: With your international coaching know-how. In what way have you helped the game?
A: I coached CR and FC from 1977 to ’78 Cup finalists. Then I handled the Army’s 1982 Cup winners. (This is the last time the Army won a XV-a-side rugby trophy). In ‘83 they were the Clifford Cup finalists.

Then I also was the National Rugby coach for the ‘85-’87 Bowl finalists at Hong Kong 7’s –’86, ’87 led by Hisham Abdeen. (lost in extra time) Priyantha Ekanayake, Shane Brohier, Bowela etc. played in this team. Hisham and Priyantha could have walked into any international side at that time.

The I toured with national teams, during this period to Wales, Australia, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Taiwan, Singapore etc. I also served as a national selector, Director coaching, of Rugby Union in the ‘90s for many years.

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