Archives

At a very informal gathering of past Wesleyites, cricketer Farveez Maharoof and the first fifteen rugby team were felicitated by Wesley College, the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), the Welfare Society and the Old Wesleyites Sports Club (OWSC) in a joint venture on Saturday at the OWSC.

Those who were given the opportunity to speak that evening spelled out the deeds of Maharoof in glowing terms, from the time he started to wield the willow. Among them were the Principal of Wesley College M.A.P. Fernando, Sri Lanka's first Test captain Bandula Warnapura, who was one-time coach of Maharoof and Captain Navin de Silva, a former Wesley captain.

Tracing Maharoof's cricket career, principal Fernando said that he had captained the school at every age group from under 13 to first eleven and having made it to the first team at the tender age of 14, he still had a year of cricket with Wesley till March next year.

Fernando said that Maharoof had brought honour and glory to the school by becoming the first Wesley schoolboy cricketer of the year for 40 years and the first Wesleyite to captain a national under 19 side after 23 years. Darrell Maye was the first Wesleyite to become schoolboy cricketer of the year way back in 1963 and Capt. Navin de Silva led the Sri Lanka under 19 team to England in 1980.

Warnapura, who was Maharoof's second coach at school after Russel Hamer, said that he saw a huge difference in confidence in the boy after he had gone on a scholarship to England where he made it to the Middlesex Second XI team. Warnapura said the confidence was borne by the manner in which he reached his century against Pakistan under 19 that same day - with a six. He said that Maharoof will enter the Max Cricket Academy next year where he should further his cricketing knowledge and skills.

Warnapura also cautioned the boy and told him not to forget his past and what he had achieved so far in cricket was only just the beginning of what was going to be a hard road to success.

"There will be success and disappointments along the way. You should be strong enough to take both if you are to make it to the top," said Warnapura. He also warned him not to get carried away too much by the money he would earn from playing cricket, but to spend it wisely.

On the same lines, Capt de Silva reminded Maharoof that he was at the beginning of a long and professional career and the path to success was not going to be an easy one. He also reminded him not to forget his alma mater and that he should one day come back and give something in return to the school.

"Forgetting your old school is like forgetting your own parents," said de Silva. He said everyone present that evening would long to see the day when Maharoof will represent his country at Test cricket and captain his country to win the World Cup.

Maharoof was presented a gift voucher by Prefect of Games Kenneth de Silva on behalf of the school, the PTA, the Welfare Society and the OWSC to purchase sports equipment of his choice.

In return, Maharoof thanked the principal, his teachers, the three coaches who had shaped his career so far, namely Hamer, Warnapura and current coach Neil Rajapakse and everyone present, for taking the trouble to felicitate him and promised to do his best for his school and his country.

The Wesley first XV rugby players were also honoured at this function and were presented with a cash donation of Rs. 10,000 by a former Wesley rugby captain Vinod Joseph who had promised them the sum if they beat Royal. Joseph who is domiciled abroad sent the donation through another old Wesleyite Asgerally Mohideen to be presented to the team.

Wesley ended runner-up in the schools league and were losing semi-finalists in the knockout. After initial disappointments Wesley rugby has produced outstanding results under coach Priyadarshana. The secret of their success is that the team has been playing together since the under-13 age group.

Principal Fernando said that the school would present the entire first fifteen squad with tracksuits in recognition of their achievements. - (S.T.)

www.crescat.com

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries

Produced by Lake House
Copyright © 2003 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager