Irene - former long jump champion

BY PREMASARA Epasinghe

"THE older generation was dedicated to sports, because they loved sports. There were no monetary or financial gains. There were nothing called sponsorship packages. Things have changed. Society have changed. The present day generation are getting various incentives.

Today, they are more like professionals. They are fortunate. During our era, we did not have so much competition and foreign exposure."

"Building the nation through sports", is some thing we should all promote", stated the dusky haired, coffee coloured four feet nine inches school teacher Irene de Silva, first woman to clear 18 feet barrier in the long jump event.

She created the long jump record in 1970. Irene took to serious athletics, when she entered the Training College at the age of 21. Usually, this can be considered as the average age an athlete reach the top.

Irene, is a Southerner. Her parents - father Dias de Silva - an irrigation overseer and mother was a trained teacher and Headmistress from Mirissa. Irene was born on July 5, 1941.

At the age of 29, Irene became Ceylon's Pentathlon Champion too.

She did yeoman service as a school teacher, spanning an uninterrupted 35 years.

Irene obtained the secondary trained teacher's certificate 1963-1964 at the Maharagama Teachers' Training College.

She as an old girl of Southland Balika Vidyalaya, Galle. She was a hosteler.

"I used to see girls running. As a tiny gale mischievous girl, I too used to run along with them. That was my beginning in the athletic career", stated Irene.

It was Mrs. Nalini de Silva, a teacher at Southland Balika Vidyalaya who spotted her. She was her guide, teacher cum coach.

Although specialised in long jump, she took part in running events too. She was in the Sri Lanka relay contingent with K.G. Badra, Surangani de Silva and Jenet Fernando.

"I was fortunate, that I was coached by some time dedicated coaches, like K.L.F. Wijedasa, Dr. A.A.D. Perera and A.J. Rodrigo", said Irene.

One of her contemporary athletes were Pauline Clousston, K.G. Badra Ransiri Wijedasa, Shanthi de Abrew, S.L.B. Rosa, Rangit Perera, Bruno Fernando, Sunil Gunawardane, Gregory de Silva, W.M. Chitraratne, Lalith Uduweralla, to come a few.

She was very fortunate to serve one of the leading girls schools in Sri Lanka - Devi Balika - a crest jewel of girls education in the island. Dr. Wimala de Silva and Kalyani de Zoysa as Principals guided the destines of Devi Balika girls to greater heights.

These two principals were rare gems, and they are jewels. They were strict disciplinarians but understood the problems of the children, teachers and parents. They were ornaments in education.

Irene involved in the field of education for 35 years. She was attached to Walgama Maha Vidaylaya from 1965-1966. Then I served Devi Balika from 1967 to 1982.

In the year 1986, she went abroad to Sultanate of Oman and severed the Department of Education for an year. In 1987, she joined the staff of Methodist College, Colombo. She later served at Wycherly International as the Teacher-in-Charge of Physical Education.

One of the most memorable incidents was the battle royal she had with Indian champion Saldhana at the 10th annual CT and FC Championships held at St. Peter's College Grounds.

"Both of us had 17 feet 21 inches as our best jumps. I had another leap 17 feet 2 inches and one of 17 feet 1 1/2 inches as compared to the Indian girls next best jump 16 feet 10 1/2 inches. I was given the top place. I had to go flat out in the final round to win this event.

It was only in my last two jumps that I cleared 17 feet 2 inches, while Saldhana cleared 17 feet 2 inches in her second jump in the qualifying round.

"To be a successful sportsmen or sportswomen, the main thing is that you must be a disciplined personality. Whatever you do be committed to your discipline. Your must always maintain a high standard in honest and integrity. When you are representing your country, put the country first," stated Irene.