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| Monday, 12 July 2004 |
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Life and times in sports Abu Fuard many-in-one by Premasara Epasinghe In cricket, some personalities are many-in-one. Several facets are rolled into a single individual. Such a character is Abu Fuard. He was, one time Asia's best off spinner. He was a fine all-rounder, cricket administrator, team manager and above all, a relentless trainer of young cricketers. From the exterior, he looks tough, rough, uncompromising and disturbingly harsh. But, at heart, he is human and as timid as a lamb. Like the surgeon's scalpel, his sharp words, helped to heal. He may come upon a lethargic young fellow, capable, but, not doing his best. He lashes out at him allowing the reluctant cricketing youth to blossom into his fullest potential. "The greatest achievement of my life in cricket, is the fulfilment of my ambition to throw open the game of cricket played in Sri Lanka, to every nook and corner of the island, whereby, the talented boys, who come out from outstations are able to represent Sri Lanka some day or other. This is because, during my long playing years, I had the misfortune of not only seeing with my own eyes, but, also experience, the discrimination meted out to outstation cricketers, who were not fortunate to be educated at "elite schools". They, were not only very snobbish to the "under privileged," but also, looked down upon them with utter contempt. Mercifully, ugly, is a thing of the past. So, I took upon myself, fighting for the cause of the under privileged cricketers. I must mention here, when I started this campaign, I had to fight against the "elite class". They opposed me. During this battle, a team-mate of mine, a former Ananda Captain, Dhanasiri Weerasinghe, who is presently domiciled in Australia, propagated my message to others." "I, as a person, belongs to a minority community. I am proud and happy, I contributed even in a small way, for the greater good of the majority, by opening the gates to some of the cricketers who represented the so-called lesser known schools. Gamini Dissanayake - Yuga Purusha - Sri Lanka Cricket I was instrumental in inviting late Gamini Dissanayake for cricket administration. This was another notable achievement of mine. This great man, Dissanayake was responsible in gaining "Test Status" for Sri Lanka, and laying the infrastructure of Sri Lanka Cricket. Today, I shed tears of joy, when many boys of outstations are now in the Sri Lanka team and performing with admiration." These words were uttered by Abu Fuard, when I met him recently. In early 1950's, Fuard was an outstanding schoolboy cricketer. In 1953, he stroked a chanceless century for Wesley College, against Richmond College, Galle, and put on 231 run partnership with Brian Classen, who later represented Ceylon. Abu took 6 for 76 against S'Thomas College Mount Lavinia, captured 8 wickets against Royal and returned the figures of 9 for 53 against Prince of Wales. Self-made cricketer After leaving school, he joined Colts C.C. Fuard is a self-made cricketer. He worked hard for it. His love and commitment to the game are unbelievable. Born on 6th December 1936, in Colombo Fuard started his cricket career at Wesley College. His father A. M. Fuard captained Wesley in 1915 and his brother Ansar Fuard captained in 1954. He started his sports career as an athlete. He represented Wesley College, as a hurdler in the Public Schools Meet and competed with late Lalith Athulathmudali. He played in the under 13 Team, as a fast-bowler. But, his coach famous Alban Fernando turned him to be an off-spinner. After leaving school, he played for Moors S.C., Colts S.C. and CCC. Fuard represented Sri Lanka from 1956 to 1971. Undoubtedly, he was the best off-spinner during his era. Nothing can replace enthusiasm and practice. The best way to play cricket is to play it and enjoy it. Fuard, played it very hard throughout his career. You cannot manufacture a breed of a player, it should happen. Everyone is different. Abu, as a player, was no exception. Bowling requires concentration, a correct bowling action, ability to bowl a good length and direction. Abu, had all these ingredients, which made him, number one in Asia during his playing days. "Those days, I used to walk all the way from 5th Lane Colpetty to Colts Grounds, Havelock Park. I start practising at 2.00 p.m. all alone. I keep a twenty five cents coin, on the matting and bowl at it-spot bowling - to improve my length and direction" stated Abu Fuard. Abu Fuard first represented Sri Lanka in 1961 against the mighty Australians led by Ritchie Benaud, played against England in 1962. Ted Dexter captained the England Team. His most memorable moment was when he captured 6 wickets for 31 against Joe Lister's International XI. He played a key-role in the first un-official Test victory beating India at Ahmedabad. "It was a team effort. We were left with a target of 112 runs to win. On a bad wicket, with apparent pot-holes. I opened in the second innings, made a quick fire 40 runs and won the match 45 minutes before the close, said Fuard. By profession, he was an insurance man. He joined De Soysa and Company, Colombo 2. Principal agents for seven foreign firms, who handled major projects like Galoya, Inginiyagala, Kelanitissa, Victoria Bridge etc. They did the secretarial work and Abu was handling the insurance. They performed an honourary job He first got involved in cricket administration, during Robert Senanayake's tenure of office as the president in 1973. Those were the days, where dedicated, committed men got into cricket administration in honorary capacity. Gamini Dissanayake, Dr. N. M. Perera, T. B. Werapitiya and Lakshman Jayakody, were ornaments to the BCCSL. These gentlemen, never mixed politics and cricket. Out of these presidents Gamini Dissanayake was the greatest. Player turned cricket administrator After hanging up his boots, Fuard took to cricket administration. In 1985, he was appointed as fulltime manager of the Sri Lanka team. Prior to this period too, he was a successful manager. Further,he was a qualified cricket coach too. Under his guidance, Sri Lanka scored the first Test series victory against India at Saravanamuttu stadium. This was followed by beating Pakistan with this victory, Sri Lanka annexed the Asia cup. In 1979, Abu Fuard, acted as Sri Lanka cricket manager in the World Cup. During this period, Sri Lanka won the ICC Trophy and thus qualified to play in the world cup in 1979. At the conclusion, Sri Lanka was placed fourth, ahead of India, Australia. New Zealand and Canada. Fuard was a member of the selection committee of the BCCSL, from 1976-1983. Thereafter, he served as the chairman of the selectors from 1982 - 1986. "I executed the plans and the programmes of Gamini Dissanayake, to the very letter, without any fear or favour. He prepared the ground work, with his dynamic set of officials in the BCCSL, which helped to gain "Test Status" to Sri Lanka. This was the greatest achievement of Dissanayake. He prepared the infrastructure, planning, finances, grounds, administration etc. I was like his shadow "at that time" stated Abu Fuard. One notable feature was that Fuard, served the Board in an honorary capacity. He served for the love of the game. A man who will call a spade a spade Fuard is a man who calls a spade a spade. Because of this, sometimes, he is not a very popular character in the cricketing circles. I personally believe, Fuard, was responsible in bringing about the "Common Man's Era" in Sri Lanka cricket history. He broke the class distinction in Sri Lanka cricket. He was responsible in proposing Bandula Warnapura's name, as the first Sri Lanka Test Captain against much opposition. "My good friend, late K. M. T. Perera, as the chairman of the selection committee backed me to the hilt," quipped Fuard. He was a tough task master. His motto was "Country Before Self." At times, he erupts like a volcano. But in few hours he is cool as a cucumber. He always played to win. To prove this point, I still remember an incident, when he was very harsh and severe on a Sri Lankan pace bowler, when he returned to the pavilion after capturing a wicket in the second over against Pakistan, played at the CCC grounds, stating that there is a slight pain in his leg. Abu pounced on the bowler: "young man, country is greater than your pain. Go out, to the centre, perform in the name of your country. Forget your pain. "He uttered these words in front of three of us, Wan, Ranjit Fernando and yours truly. The bowler immediately took the field and captured five wickets, which helped Sri Lanka to score a victory against Pakistan captained by Imran Khan. Close of play, Abu congratulated the bowler and told him, not to misunderstand for shouting at him. This is the nature of Abu Fuard. As in cricket, in life too, there are ups and downs. Fuard, is currently maintaining a low profile. Many benefitted from him. Remembering him, will be a blessing to this strange cricket character. Sri Lanka cricket, should be beholden to the many contributions made by people like Abu Fuard. |
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