Christie – missed by basketball community
Christie Mariathasan
This week the basketball community was mourning the untimely death of a stalwarts of the game – Christie Mariathasan, whose funeral was held on Monday. He was 52. Christie did yeomen service to the game, but his character can be summed up by one incident. A young basketball player from Batticaloa was about to be recruited for DFCC bank. Christie was a senior figure at the bank. The young hopeful turned up for the interview wearing a t-shirt.
Soon, Christie rushed him to Hameedias and bought him a shirt and a tie to face the interview. Once he was recruited, he bought him a few more shirts and trousers so that he can be comfortable at work for the first month before his salary arrived. The player went onto represent Sri Lanka a few years later.
DFCC Bank became a strong force in basketball due to two individuals Christie and Duminda de Silva, who had represented the country in basketball and rugby. Christie was a livewire recruiting talented players and looking after them well. He could call the shots as he was in a senior post at the bank.
Soon Christie’s dedication for the game and generosity for players was noted and bigger responsibilities came his way. He was elected as the Treasurer of Sri Lanka Basketball Federation and was appointed as the Manger of national women’s basketball team. It was while managing the team that people began to respect his concern for the players and attention to detail. In a foreign country, he wouldn’t have his meals until the players had competed theirs and if they had any complications he was quick to sort them.
At a time when managers are accused of going on joy rides with national sports teams, Christie was fully committed to looking after players well so that they could perform to their best of abilities. Several players reacted in tears calling him the best manager they had met in their careers. He had done much to make their overseas travels comfortable.
Christie was also dedicated to St. Lawrence’s Church in Wellawatta where he looked after the youth. Christie’s demise has been a huge loss for his family. The basketball community too feel the pain heavily for he had so much more to offer the game.