Sam Lovell - survival of the fittest Sporting Personalities with Ken de Joodt

PERSONALITIES: In any sport it is the fittest that endure, persevere and perform best! - this is what Sam Lovell, a versatile sportsman and a diligent achiever in past times of 'guts and glory', could blissfully say now, having come out successfully from the competitive course on the sports fields and the complicated challenges in the wider walks of life.

Sam counts himself a privileged product of a splendid school, St. Joseph's College, Colombo, educated in the era of a dedicated, devoted Rector-in-Charge, Fr. Peter Pillai, who was well-known to be a strict disciplinarian and a good Educationist, (between 1948 and 1962).

Sam is thankful for those great days of discipline, which has helped him to accomplish adequately in the academic field.

He obtained a 'first division' pass with four distinctions in the Senior School Certificate and subsequently launched out into a Shipping career, to 'anchor in the harbour of success! Achieving a Shipping degree from the Chartered Shipbrokers Institute and being honoured as a Member of the Baltic Exchange, in London, proved to be useful tools for navigating his progress in shipping.

In a modest manner, Sam reasoned that many of his colleagues have achieved greater heights, such as Justice Mark Fernando (presently a Supreme Court Judge), Dr. Carlislye Perera, (captained Cricket), Prof. S. N. Silva (who beat the Badminton National Champion, Sam Chandrasena), Manik Pereira (rugby and Chairman, Asha Agencies - Pership), Fritz Ohlmus and Cedric Direcksz (both Rugby Captains) and brother Vivian Direcksz (now domiciled in Australia).

Thinking back, Sam was simply amazed at the lengthy list he could compile of the many top sportsmen he has associated with and competed against! In 1960, Sam was a link in the 100 metres record-breaking relay team, with Adolf Silva, (who beat Royal's sprint champion Brian Lieversz, in the 100 metres), Brian Buultjens, Neomal Basnayake, Bradley Sandarasagaran and Tissa de Soysa.

Excelling in Athletics, Sam won the 110 metres Hurdles at the Public School's Meet in 1960, running against Vijitha Wijesekera (Ananda) and Vijay Malalasekera (Royal) and clinching the Best Performance Trophy for a record breaking High-Jump in the Junior AA Championships, also in 1960.

Basketball and Soccer were his 'pet' sports. Captaining the college in Soccer in 1961 and '62 and then playing for the 'Old Joes', from 1962 to '66, then leading the "Old Joes" in 1966.

Sam's prowess and power, was also seen on the Basketball courts, playing for St. Joseph's from 1958, until he captained in 1962.

From '62 to '65 he represented Sri Lanka in Basketball teaming up with outstanding famous players like, Maj. Gen. Dr. C. Thurairajah, Gen. Rohan Daluwatte, Cosmos Perera and his brother Malsiri Perera, Capt. Matthew George, Shelton Pietersz, Percy Perera, Neville Perera, Noel Perera, Milroy Silva, Chula de Silva, Ranjan Senanayake, Gamini Silva, Royden de Silva, Hillary White, Vijay Silva and N. Rasalingam. Absolute fitness was the key factor for all these top sportsmen to perform well.

It was in 1965 that Sam Lovell took 'on board' a safe and secure "Supercargo", when he married Frances (nee Pulle) and sailed away, on a German Hansa Line, passenger cum cargo ship, for two years of 'Special' Training.. in shipping.

By and by they had three children, a daughter Sheona, now living in Canada, then a son Warren, presently working at Aitken Spence Shipping Ltd, as an Asst. Operations Manager and finally another daughter Anushka, a Sales and Marketing General Manager at Confifi Hotel Management.

After his initiation of Shipping in Sri Lanka, at McLarens Ltd, and Colombo Shipping (as Director), Sam moved to Dubai with his family and was employed as General Manager of Swedish Shipping Co, also known as Modern Freight-Gulf Agency Co., where three other famous Sri Lankan rugby players worked, namely Thajone Savangan, Shafi Jainudeen and Royden de Silva.

He was also the General Manager in Singapore for three years.

In 1999, while on holiday in Dubai, Sam was knocked down by a car on a pedestrian crossing, causing him serious injuries - but thank God, he yet lives to tell the tale! His caring wife Frances and the loving children, still keep a keen eye on him. Frances has faithfully done so for 41 years of married life, a sound example of the saying - 'to ease another's burden, help carry it!'

As they both agree, "it is with great thanks and by the Blessings of God, His mercy and goodness that we can survive." As some good soul said "with hope and a future in a Gracious God... gratitude should be a continuous attitude, not just an occasional incident" - how true!