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by Richard Dwight

Though, sans any form of malice or rancour, there was yet however a note of regret and a touch of appealing sadness - when the former Jaffna Central College and, national athletic hero of the fifties, Nagalingham Ethirveerasingham, spoke as chief guest at the presentation of the 'Millennium 200 Duncan White Memorial Award' to sprint queen, Susanthika Jayasinghe, last Saturday at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute.

As he reminisced, our minds strayed on to the 1948 London Olympics, when Duncan White the extraordinary brilliant hurdler within 51 seconds put Ceylon (as it was then known) on the map, by winning for the first time, a silver medal for his country. Not to be outdone, relentless Ethirveerasingham, ten years later in the 1958 Asian Games became the first Ceylonese to win a gold medal, with a record-breaking jump of 6 ft. 8 ins.

Both Duncan and Ethir were pioneers enough to be historic, path finders, showing other athletes the way. Giving credence to the truism that "The difference between the impossible and the possible is to be measured by man's will".

It's against this background, he began saying that he was pleased and honoured to be invited to a Sports Foundation function, named after a man, who was his inspiration and coach. Speaking with measured tone and voice, pausing now and then to be emphatic or regaining his composure when emotionally stirred, Ethir said that the last time he met the great Duncan was in 1962, when Duncan was leaving for Nigeria, after having been rejected to serve as Director of Physical Education. Ethir was not holding back his punches, but deftly let them go, when on reflection, he revealed that on graduating he found no job, neither did he get one on obtaining his Master's.

A kind lady he recalled, got him a job for two years, at the British Council, after which he even tried farming at Mankulam. Duncan's words to him in 1962 was, "Get out of here for the dogs will bark but the Caravan must go on" and fortuitously after his PhD, Either was invited by the UNESCO to organise an University of Science and Technology in Nigeria. It was while in Nigeria, that he heard, that Duncan had laid the foundation for Nigerian athletes.

How true, both Duncan and Ethir, lived to experience that "a prophet is not without honour, save in his own country". He went on to say, that the school system does not seem to recognise, that sportsmen/women have other areas of lives as well. Students he felt are stunted, mainly because there are those who are taught Chemistry, Botany and Zoology, with the hope of becoming doctors, whilst some are taught Maths in order to become engineers. But what about the student's aesthetic sense of culture, drama, music and sports, he questioned.

It must be recognised and appreciated, that they have other intelligencies, which should be developed through the imparting of a holistic education.

Addressing aspiring young athletes, he advised that unlike other team sports athletics has to do with individuals. For when you are under starter's orders, you stand alone in your lane on the track. Have a vision for the future and work hard towards success, never depending on the government to do everything for you, learn to stand on your own feet.

The indulgence in sport, Ethir explained gives one a sense of well-being, makes him feel better and more healthier, being therapeutic. Not forgetting that it could assist the disabled, and also be used as a therapy in the process of reconciliation, by those traumatised by war.

Look at the athlete, the sportsman/woman as a whole person, emphasised Ethir, not to be put on show, as it sometime does, as a performer in a circus.

Dwelling on Susanthika's achievement at the Sydney Olympics, he said it was great, as she had many difficulties to encounter from her childhood days and has virtually triumphed over adversity, bringing name and fame for herself and the country. Duncan, predicated that she will do well, since she was determined, had courage and was tough.

Ethir stressed that no purpose would be served, in our just telling Susi you must do well at Athens, win for us a silver or even a gold. For we must all help her to make that happen. There is no point in her training in isolation at Torrington Avenue or Sugathadasa Stadium where stiff competition awaits her in Athens. She must like other main contenders do, frequently take part in the meets held in the States and elsewhere.

So as to mingle with them and get the feel of things and be prepared for the Olympics in Athens. Scientific coaching, with psychology and counselling is necessary, if coaches are to train our Olympic hopefuls at the highest level, concluded, Ethir.

Earlier on, the President of the 'Duncan White Sports Foundation', Mrs. Jennifer Moragoda, made the welcome address, where she drew a brief sketch of the Foundation and amongst others, she announced that she would be stepping down as president, to be succeeded by Director Chrishantha Perera. The vote of thanks was delivered by Director, Ravi Fernando, the Managing Director Reckitt-Benckiser.

Interspersed was a cultural display by Sama Ballet ensemble, a biographical presentation on Susanthika's achievements by Sirasa TV - the Army buglers at hand to herald the awardee Susanthika. The ceremony was compered by Mrs. Sharmini Serasinghe.

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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