Life and times in sports

Belle Wirakoon - the unsung heroine

BY PREMASARA Epasinghe

BELLE Wirakoon was a former undisputed women Table Tennis champion. She reigned supreme nearly three decades - 1948-1978, as the Table Tennis Queen of this country.

She first represented the country in December 1950. She had the proud distinction of winning the women's Table Tennis Title on 13 occasions and was runners-up 12 times.

Born on June 16, 1928, she is now over 77 years old, and remains a spinster. This dedicated sportswoman was so attached to Table Tennis discipline, virtually, she was married to this lovely sport. She devoted the best part of her life for Table Tennis in an era sans perk, and sponsorship packages.

Unfortunately, a National Player who did so much in Table Tennis in Sri Lanka, is today an unsung heroine. In any other country, Belle would have been a treasured ornament.

I asked her, why she selected Table Tennis as a sports discipline, without taking part in athletics, Volleyball, Hockey, Basket Ball, Badminton and Net Ball.

"I used to visit Frances Siriwardene's residence very often. She was a keen Table Tennis player. She had a Table Tennis Table at her home. First, I used to watch her playing. When there are no partners for her to practise, she would invite me. This was how my Table Tennis career began. Later, it became my life," stated Belle.

She started competitive Table Tennis in 1948. In 1949, she was the Runners-up in the Women's singles.

"From 1951, I became the women's champion. I held this title till 1954. I won the Women's National Title in 1958, 1960, 1961, 1964, 1970 and then from 1973 to 1976.

These years were the best of times for me, as far as winning trophies. I thought of furthering my knowledge in Table Tennis. With my own savings I proceeded to England for training," stated Belle.

She had the proud distinction of being coached by the world famous United Kingdom Table Tennis Association coach J. Carrington.

From 1950 to 1960, ten years, she represented Ceylon in many Tournaments that took place in India. From 1950-1952 she took part in Table Tennis championships held in Calcutta, Hydrabad, Indore.

In 1958, she represented Sri Lanka in the All India Championships held in Ahmedabad. In November 1960 and January 1965 she represented Sri Lanka in the All Indian Championships and Asian Championships in Hydrabad and Bombay (Mumbai) respectively.

Belle represented the country at the Ganeto Games in Jakarta in 1963/1964, Asian Games in 1964, Peking Invitation Table Tennis Tournament in 1966, Afro-Asian Latin American Table Tennis Tournament in 1973 and Asian Table Tennis Championship held in Yokohama, Japan on 1974. I do not think that there is any other player who participated in so many International Tournaments.

I still remember, I covered a Table Tennis Tournament at Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium for Dinamina and Daily News in 1971, where world champions from China made their appearance. In this Tournament, Belle and Nimal Perera excelled.

Going down memory lane, Belle stated that the National Champion Nimal Perera, kept the country's flag flying high when he beat China's Hu-Wei-Hsin in straight sets.

"I was partly responsible for the victory scored by the Sri Lanka Women's Team. In an all important singles against Chinese Number One Liang-Li-Chen, I pulled off a win. My victory decided the issue in favour of Ceylon. This was one of the most memorable victories in my career," stated Belle.

Some of the contemporary players who played during Belle Wirakoon's era, were Pestonjee Sisters, Jilla's - Indra and Bhai, Mrs. Siriwardene, Grace Somasunderam, Neela Singham, Charlie Daniel, Anton Fernandopulle, N. H. Perera, Chris Gunaratne, Jothipala Samaraweera, Annesley Gomes, Dick and Sam Schoorman etc.

She gained a wealth of experience playing at the highest level for three decades, which would help our up and coming young players. Unfortunately, no one invited me.

"If I remained in the United Kingdom, I would have been recognised as a coach. Not only that, I could have earned a big sum. As I loved my motherland, I returned home. Here I became a person-non-grata. Only thing, I have no regrets, in playing Table Tennis, I enjoyed every bit of it, stated Belle.