Manilal Fernando's wonderful gesture

I leave the cricket scene and move on to the football arena to appreciate, applaud and congratulate Manilal Fernando on his wonderful gesture in awarding a scholarship to the late Edward Wickremasuriya's son to continue his academic career.

It was indeed a poignant moment and Fernando's eyes were moist when he spoke in glowing terms about Edward and his career as an excellent player and coach.

Wickremasuriya met with a sad end. His demise still remains a mystery.

As soon as the news broke out about Wickremasuriya's death, his critics were quick to pounce and slant the cause of death on Fernando. Damaging articles and lot of abuse did the rounds laying the blame fairly and squarely on Fernando who they alleged had a hand in it.

It was apparent that the disgruntled and frustrated were spreading the rumours. The rumour mills were in fact working overtime.

Fernando was accused, convicted and condemned by a self appointed jury.

Unable to achieve their foul attempts. It is indeed laughable to see these same critics, bending backwards to right their wrong and shower Fernando with praise now.

Fernando has a rare trait of forgiving and forgetting. As he told me when the allegations were being levelled at him - to err is human to forgive divine.

They accused Fernando apparently of causing Wickremasuriya's death because he could not accept the accusations and allegations Wickremasuriya was making and writing.

Knowing Fernando as I do, I can stand up for him and tell his critics that Fernando is a cut above the rest and above all a gentleman and he is one who plays and administers the game with as they say in cricketing parlance - playing a straight bat. His critics would now have realised that.

If I remember right it was the late J.S.N. Anandaraja who brought Fernando into the world's most popular game. Fernando's first fling was to contest the late DIG Herbert Weerasinghe for the high post in the Football Federation.

I was one in his trusted circle who went round canvasing for his election. On the day of the election threats were made at him and his supporters. But Fernando adorned the high office beating Weerasinghe by a single vote.

From that moment onwards Fernando has not looked back and it is to his credit that the players, the administrators and the game are enjoying its best ever years. The imposing 'Football House' which the game never saw before was his gift. 'I lived my dreams', on a plaque with smiling and contended picture of Fernando is what greets one when entering the house that Fernando built.

Fernando is aspiring to be the President of the Asian Football Confederation. He has what it takes to be there. He is now a Senior Vice President.

Fernando also served in the legal panel of FIFA and is admired by Bin Hammam, President AFC and Sepp Blatter, President FIFA. In fact he is one of their confidants.

What we must all do is to push and elevate Fernando to be the President of AFC. If and when this happens it would be a great honour to game and country, because never before has a Sri Lankan aspired or achieved such a feat.

But what are his critics now doing? They, as is the usual trait trying to pull him down.

I hope that from today his critics would think and act differently.

What the game, player and the administration are enjoying is because of the hard work and the persuasive powers that Fernando is blessed with.

There is no doubt that Fernando is god's gift to football. Then let us treat him that way and stop slinging, as the Sinhala saying goes - mud at him.

No wonder then that it is said that a prophet is without honour other than in his own country.