Cricket: Roshan Mahanama outlines importance of preserving principles

For the chief guest at the Bata-the Sunday Times Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2016 awards ceremony on Friday (11), it was like coming back home to his long lost abode that he dwelt in some time ago. 

Yes, Roshan Mahanama – the former member of the World Cup winning combination, national captain and match referee, the BMICH is also familiar terrain. 

He was the recipient of the Schoolboy Cricketer on two consecutive occasions in 1982 and 1983 just like the young Charith Asalanka doing the same some thirteen years later. 

He took honour and pride in delivering his speech meant for the young cricketing brethren who are now at the threshold of national recognition. 

Below we shared with him some of the thoughts of this gentleman cricketer. 

“Talking of speeches once a British Minister said ‘If you give me one hour I can do it now. Like what we do in our parliament – just keep jabbering. But, if you want me to give a speech I need to prepare myself and thank you for giving that opportunity’.  

“I must congratulate the organisors for not inviting politicians for sporting events of this nature. I remember when I won the award almost thirty years ago, I was given the award by a politician, but I must say he was a respected politician, but at present the good politician could be counted with on fingers. I salute the organisors for that.” 

Mahanama when said that I would dwell upon some of the experiences at the crease rather than talk about others. 

“Someone mentioned that I retired from cricket on a matter of principle. I was forced to retire, and today I will divulge I did not have to retire, but step-down as an international match referee on a matter of principle. I think for budding cricketers, coaches I think it is important to stand up for our principles. We lack this among the leaders of our country, but, we should stand up for principles. When I stepped down I got some offers including from Sri Lanka Cricket. They offered me to be involved in three different positions, but personally for me I had decided that I will not be involved in any capacity in an organisation which is politicised. They all say that they cannot give any responsibility because I stepped down, Yes, I stepped down from twice – from positions offered to me by Sri Lanka Cricket again on a matter of principle.” 

The much respected Mahanama then based the rest of his narration advising the budding cricketers, coaches and umpires in general on their respective responsibilities. 

He said coaches should not look at the status of the parents. 

Do not base the selections on what the parents would do. 

You should give recognition to talent. 

He said that the coaches should not look at short cuts. 

He said “I have heard some of the coaches go to the extent of talking to the umpires and this message should go to the umpires as well. The game is more important than your keeping the job as an umpire or the coach holding on his employment. We have the responsibility of preserving the image of the gentleman’s game.” 

“We had coaches of the calibre of the Mendis brothers (Lionel and Nelson) and for them what was important was not their job. For them what was important was producing cricketers who play the game the way it ought to be played. For me what I picked up at an early age was – discipline was priority.” 

He then shifted his focus on to the parents and advised that a parent should not try to live the child’s life through their dreams. 

The very next child may be better than the child in question. 

“For the parent your child is the best, but don’t forget that if you try to push your kid and try to live your dream through your kid you may be depriving someone who is better than your own”. 

Yet, he believes that a parent always must encourage strengthening the child’s self belief. 

Then he said “Towards the end of my career as a player the global sport decided to introduce the role of match referee. It gave me the opportunity to work for the governing body, which I was proud of, but at the same time I am sad because people specially the players have lost the respect for the game, respect for their fellow players, their opposition, umpires and coaches. It should not be the case. I remember talking to two leading players from two leading cricket playing nations and I told them that it is the game that has made them what they are and they should not let the game down”.