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| Monday, 31 January 2005 |
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Fernando - SL VB captain who leads from the front Life and times in sport by Premasara Epasinghe Volleyball is a game for two teams of six persons, volleying a large ball by hand over a net, the aim being to ground it in the opponents court. (From French - Volee, from Latin - volare - fly). It is a very popular game in the world and this sports discipline is included in Olympic Games. In Sri Lanka, volleyball is the national game. Unfortunately, today it is a dying game. In the 1950 to 1970, volleyball was a very popular game in Sri Lanka. It was played islandwide. Today, we focuss our attention to an outstanding volleyball player that Sri Lanka produced, who had the proud distinction of leading the country in this sports discipline. He is Wewalage George Fernando from Welihena, Kochchikade, presently a well to do businessman, a landed proprietor, who is connected with the coconut industry. His father's name - William Fernando, and mother - Agnes Peiris. In a family of eight, George is the sixth. He is married to Irangani Fernando and have two sons - Dinesh and Mahes. He is a successful businessman from Kochchikade. George Fernando, still remains a simple villager. He is a thorough gentleman and a fine human being. George Fernando was a versatile sportsman. He excelled in cricket, athletics and volleyball. But, his forte was volleyball, where he reached his pinnacle. Six footer, George Fernando, was one of the most disciplined to emerge from that firmament. About four decades back, he was considered as one of the best spikers in the country. Even today, his name is a household name when it comes to volleyball. Born on 1st May 1941, he studied at a leading school in Negombo - Maris Stella College. Sports was his first love. In the late 1950s, he was a fine schoolboy cricketer, and a fiery fast bowler. In the year 1959, he captured 9 wickets for 19 runs against S. Thomas College, Mount Lavinia. While playing cricket, he played volleyball too and represented the college volleyball team. He captained Maris Stella at volleyball. In the early 1960s, he played in the club circuit and turned up for Nawaka Tharu, Negombo. Gampaha district VB - king of sports Gampaha district and volleyball are synonymous at both national and international level volleyball was the 'king of sports' in Gampaha, Minuwangoda, and Negombo. Gampaha was the breeding ground for many Sri Lankan national VB players. Charly, Siriwardane, Priyanta, Cyril Jayasinghe are some of the stalwarts. Captaincy The chief qualifications for a good captain are a sound knowledge of the game, a calm judgement, and the ability to inspire others with confidence. Great captains in any field of sports, carry that indefinable quality called Charisma. It had a god-given grace of the personality, capable of inspiring others by means of love, admiration, affection and a touch of awe. George Fernando had all these ingredients and qualities and he captained the Sri Lanka volleyball team in 1970. It is a requirement of a captaincy not to panic in situations. George Fernando was also a public school athlete too. Out of all sports disciplines, what made you to take to volleyball? VB exciting game "I felt that volleyball is an exciting game. As children, and even grown up, I used to mix with villagers and play volleyball at Welihena churchyard. In our area, this was the breeding ground, for many outstanding volleyball players. We really enjoyed very much playing in the evenings," stated George Fernando. First time Negombo district win an all island title One of the highlights of his career early was to captain Negombo 'Nawaka Tharu' volleyball team, in 1969/70. They annexed the inter-district volleyball tournament by defeating the Army VB team captained by L. P. Perera. This was the first occasion Negombo district won an all-island title. Then, in the same year under the captaincy of George Fernando, 'Nawaka Tharu' won the inter-club championship and brought to Negombo the prestigious 'Dinamina Challenge Cup', considered as the 'plum of volleyball' in Sri Lanka. They beat hot favourites Tudella SC skippered by famous Camillus Anthony. Team spirit and teamwork "I was very fortunate to lead a fine set of gentleman players. Our success was the team spirit and teamwork. My team consisted of Joe Jayawardane, Emmanuel Fernando, Mervyn Perera, Gamini Silva, Nelson Weerakkody and K. D. Anthony." Memorable match - trailing 3-12 won by 15-22 George Fernando cites, the district finals as the most exciting encounter, in his career. It was a five setter. This final was played at the Police park, volleyball courts, depot police Bambalapitiya in 1969 if my memory serves right. "Believe it or not, we were trailing 3-12. Our opponents were on the verge of victory. It took a five out. I spoke to the team. " 'Never surrender'. Like Sir Winston Churchill said, I told them, and motivated them. 'We shall fight to the end. We shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength. Victory at all costs. Without victory there is no survival'." This is what he told the team. George Fernando and his team fought a gruelling battle, never surrendered and won the game 15-12, in an excitement filled match which was witnessed by more than 3,000 spectators. This was the most memorable incident in his volleyball career. It was undoubtedly the 'finest hour' of George Fernando. Unfortunately, this game was clouded with a tragic incident. "One of our 'Nawaka Tharu' staunch supporter Dimus Perera found the tension too much and died of a heart attack. Jeyaraj Fernandopulle improved the standards of VB in SL George, how do you think that the standards of volleyball should be improved from the present standard, which I feel is at a low-ebb? "To improve any sport, you have to tap the talent at a young age. There must be proper guidance. Dedication, commitment by the volleyball federation and providing the necessary infrastructure to volleyball players. Tournaments islandwide and foreign exposure are necessary. Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, during his tenure of office as the President of the Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation did his best to promote the game in Sri Lanka," stated George Fernando. Captain of Sri Lanka In 1966 and then in 1970, George Fernando captained the Sri Lanka volleyball contingent. Under the able and astute leadership of W. L. Siriwardene of Gampaha, Sri Lanka toured Bangalore, India in 1966. His brother, late W. L. Piyaratne, was also a member of the team. L. P. Perera, Gavin, Balu are some of the other members. George Fernando was included in the Sri Lanka volleyball team as a spiker. I. P. Premadasa was the chef de mission. D. L. Mahendra, Douglas Alahakoon, Joe Jayawardane and district volleyball secretary Ratne Deshapriya coached and guided the Sri Lanka team. Volleyball is still poor man's game. Today, in sports money plays a very important role. Sports such as cricket, have professionalism. Even a game like volleyball does not get wide publicity. Therefore finding a sponsor for volleyball is also difficult. It is the duty of the authorities to elevate the standard of volleyball to the real national standard and make it the official national sports. |
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