Kandy’s rugby lovers are deeply saddened to hear of the passing away of Gamini Fernando, who was a famous rugby player, coach, referee and administrator and was one of the most influential figures in the history of the game He passed away on Thursday and his funeral took place on Friday in Colombo. He is a product of Trinity College and lived along Lake Road, Katukelle during his school days.
Gamini Fernando was a great leader who was well known for his terrific loose play. He also had a knack for scoring tries as he touched down many times for his school and club.The dynamic flanker gave his best as a player, coach, referee and administrator. This Kandy product was a former Trinity College, Havelock Sports Club and Sri Lanka player who was a dedicated rugby player during his heydays and later became a top class administrator.
At Trinity he excelled in rugby and cricket and in 1956 when the school introduced the under-17 team for the first time he was there.As a second row forward, he gave of his best for the senior team in his first year in 1958 under Ken de Joedt and in 1959 under Denzil Kobbekaduwa.
Some of his teammates were M. Talwatte, ARM Azain, EDK Roles, PA Buultjens Jnr., S.Janikram, Ken Murray, Jayantissa Ratwatte, TP Hermon, Jayantha Jayawardena, SCde Silva, TN Cunchee, R. Madena, RW Madugalle and RR Samarakoon. Fernando won his rugby colours in 1959.
Fondly called Gamma he was also a fine cricketer and played along with Nimal Maralande, L. Thalakada, SM Perera, PS Jayasinghe, CVI Kodithuwakku and SMWeerasinghe. He was a good stroke maker and one of his memorable knocks was a solid 61 against Zahira College in 1960 in which he had seven well timed hits to the ropes and two over it. He won his cricket colours in 1960.. After his school career ended in 1961, he left for Colombo and turned out for his favourite club Havelock Sports Club as a flank forward and led the club in 1967 and Gamma hung up his boots prematurely in 1969 having given his best as both player and captain.
Gamma played for Sri Lanka in the All India Championships in 1966 and ‘67 and against the English Defence Services and foreign teams which toured Sri Lanka.
He also represented Low-Country. But during his playing days, visits by international sides were few and far between.
He was a fine team man, a fearless tackler and a gentleman . He coached Havelock Sports Club and at a certain time was helping Police SC in 1980 on an invitation from Anton Benedict. He was the national coach in 1978 the year Irwin Howie led the country as well as in 1979. He refereed the game between the French University and an RAF team in 1979. That was the first time that two European teams played in Sri Lanka. He also refereed the 1975 Cup final and was one time the president of the SLRFU.
In the 1970s Kandy Sports Club players had a problem with accommodation while attending national team trials and Gamma reached out to them in Colombo. Our Thoughts and prayers are with Gamma’s family. May he Rest in Peace
0 comments:
Post a Comment