Susanthika the ‘black superwoman’ was great

If cricketing sensation Sanath Jayasuriya is the ‘black superman’ of cricket, then Susanthika Jayasinghe could aptly be tagged the ‘black superwoman’ of the track in Sri Lanka.

Jayasuriya and Jayasinghe who incidentally carry the same initials ‘SJ’ have contributed magnanimously and tremendously to cement the country’s name in the world, especially in sport.

At the age of 31 when most sportswomen would have called it a day, Susanthika the athlete, was simply marvellous as she took off the blocks in the 200 metres and burnt the track to finish third and bring home a bronze medal.

Although it was a bronze medal it was worth its weight in gold, considering that she was winning a medal 10 years after performing similarly. From the time she won a first medal 10 years ago, it was amazing to see her continue brushing aside adversity and the hurdles that were placed her way and winning another medal for Sri Lanka.

In the 100 metres she had the misfortune of ‘jumping the gun’. Had that mishap not occurred, who knows Susanthika may have hung another medal round her neck.

When Rupavahini decided to show the race, everyone would have been biting their nails and been on their seats edge, holding their breath, waiting impatiently to watch how the superwoman would finish. Allyson Felix the winner and Veronica Campbell were simply untouchable as they breezed ahead.

Susanthika was in a bunch and it looked as though she would be hard pressed to get on the podium and receive even a bronze medal.

But when the results were finally announced, she exulted and the whole country wold have jumped for joy singing her praises and invoking blessings on her.

Minutes after finishing the race, the first call that came Susanthika’s way was from the sporting Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa who congratulated her for this amazing performance.

The President was the President of the Amateur Athletic Federation when the ‘Dazzling Gazzelle’ as Dinesh Weerawansa our track and field expert tagged her when she was at her peak.

Ever since President Rajapaksa has not forgotten this unassuming lass and kept watch on her progress and always stretched a helping hand when the need arose.

Susanthika has demonstrated what determination and courage could do and with her success she has been an example to all sportsmen and women.

Susanthika must be given a welcome fit for royalty.

It would be appropriate to declare Jayasinghe and Jayasuriya and Muralitheran who is set to become the bowler in the world with the most number of wickets - national treasures. Soon after winning the bronze medal, Susanthika had further honour coming her way when she was elected to the IAAF Athletes Commission. Susanthika has brought great honour to herself and the country.

Murali injury

Muttiah Muralitheran’s bicep injury was not a surprise when it came. Playing county cricket and earning money is well and good. But especially if you are a bowler, then you are asking for it.

When serving a county you are expected to perform at peak. Failures would not be tolerated.

As a bowler the county captain will bowl you to the ground. And with Muralitheran always being a match winner, he will have to bowl, bowl and bowl so as to see his county winning.

And that is exactly what his county captain at Lancashire has been doing with the champion off spinner.

Anyway the injury can be looked to as a blessing in disguise, because it will enable him to have a well earned rest and skip the mockery of a Twenty20 World Cup and be in readiness for the more important games ahead.

Death of Frouse Saheed

It is with profound sadness that this column records the death of former billiard and snooker ace Frouse Saheed.

Saheed put Sri Lanka on the map of the cue world when he held the posts of President of the local governing body, the Asian and then the World Body.

A champion many a time in the cue game, he did a lot for the game and the player and the game is what it is today, because of the hard work put in by Saheed. The Burgher Recreation Club is having one of the finest playing centres and it was Saheed who made it all possible.

BRC will do well to hang a portrait of this great man at their club house.