| Sports
is a challenge says Dr. Goonetilleke
By Bernie Wijesekera
Dr. Gamini Goonatilleke is one of the finest rugby products to spring
from St. Joseph’s College Darley Road. This school has produced
some outstanding sportsmen and professionals.
Gamini,
followed the footsteps of late rugby legend Dr. Hubert Aloysius,
a bundle of energy, who preferred the body contact sport. He says
it helped him in many ways in later life, as a surgeon.
Q:
What were your most unforgettable moments in your school and University
days?
A: As a schoolboy since my childhood, I had a tremendous
appetite for rugby, watching the likes of Tony Sirimane, brothers
Sari and Dr. Tony de Sylva. They were my idols. Sirimane (scrumhalf)
was in a class of his own. I had a lot to learn from him and it
stood me in good stead.
I too
played as a halfback. Ago Paiva, a rugby great from CR and FC, taught
me the finer skills of the game. I had a passion for rugby. It is
a glamorous sport. It helped me to mould my character and shape
my academic career, too. The seeds for the game were sowed at St.
Joseph’s.
Later
I turned out for the Colombo University and for the Combine Universities
and captained both teams. The most unforgettable moment in my career
was when I led the University team to emerge Clifford Cup ‘B’
Division champions.
The team had Maiya Guansekera. A towering ‘lock’ forward,
Fred Perera (No. 8), I.T. Kunaratnam, Devakumar (all from Royal),
Paramsothy (St. Peter’s) All passed out as doctors. Omar Sherrif
(Zahira), a sleek running winger who later played for Havelocks,
and Sri Lanka was also in the team. Omar Sheriff is now domiciled
in Australia.
Q:
I think you are aware of a controversy where you were involved whilst
playing for the CH.
A: Yes. I regret it ever happened. It happened on the spur
of the moment.
I was captaining the CH ‘Kabs’ and we were right on
top in the final against CR ‘Bees’. I was repeatedly
penalized by the referee, for putting the ball to the second-row.
I questioned him over his decision and an argument ensured. We were
asked to leave the field. I protested. I regret the incident even
now though it’s long forgotten.
Q:
Have you played ‘A’ Div rugby?
A: Yes. As a schoolboy I played for the CH and FC ‘A’
team under John Burrows, as a halfback. It was a great pleasure
and an honour to play with the likes of Burrows, Lorensz Pereira,
Bryan Baptist, etc.
Q:
Do you think you have helped the game and in what way. Please elaborate.
A: In a very small way. With Doctors, Maiya and Fred I
served the Rugby Union in attending to injured players.
Q:
What’s your opinion about Sri Lanka rugby at present times?
A: Definitely the standard has gone down. Further the sportsmanship
and spirit is sadly lacking. It attributes to money being introduced
to the game and players.
The
introduction of foreign players to represent the local clubs has
aggravated it further.
Q:
What about school rugby?
A: During our times we played six or seven games for a
season, but sad to mention at present there may be more tournaments
with more than 12 games per season. This trend even retards a player’s
academic career.
How many of them are continuing with their academic careers? During
the past most sportsmen studied their books and learnt to play the
game. Apparently today most of them have nothing to fall back in
latter life. The introduction of sponsorship to school rugby has
further ruined the game.
Q:
What is the remedy to improve standards?
A: Proper training, competent coaches at grassroots level,
limited number of games. Good physic.
Players must undergo fitness test at every level. There should be
competent doctors to handle fitness tests, no player should be encouraged
to play or go on tour with hidden injuries. They should be 100 percent
fit.
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