Sportsman Pestonjee was National Champ at 14
Richard DWIGHT
Living out the Churchillian dictum 'Never giveup' is the affable,
P.N. Pestonjee, affectionately referred to as Pesi - who though
experiencing a minor reverse, a setback some time ago has done well with
grim determination and perseverance, to so adjust and adapt himself to
function as Director and overseer of the highly reputed, 'Abans'.
undoubtedly a triumph over adversity, which should serve to inspire,
motivate and encourage others facing similar situations. This quality of
firm resolve and of noble virtues, were gained from his upbring at home
and his student days at Royal College.
In the mid forties he did have the benefit of a fine secondary
education at Royal under the principalship of both Bradby and Corea -
where apart from being a mild mannered exemplary student, he also
excelled at cricket and tennis at the junior. Pesi's forte however was
Table Tennis and his adroit hand at this sport, was seen as champion at
all levels for his school, which through his sober disciplined,
gentlemanly ways made him ever so popular to have many friends.
His pride and boast is that on partnering Naro Udeshi, they were TT
National doubles champions on two separate occasions, when Pesi was 14
and 16 years. He also had the added distinction of being the mixed
doubles champion along with Belle Weerakoon. All these commendable
achievements came his way during the late forties and early fifties.
Pesi had the honour of representing All Ceylon at TT under Naro Udeshi
and played against, Australia, UK and India, the others in the team were
the Schoorman brothers - Dick and Sam, Norshi Lakdawalla, Chrys
Gunaratne and Charlie Daniel - the ladies who were prominent being Belle
Weerakoon, Mrs. Somasunderam and Miss Sinham.
Pesi despite being an active player, also worked assiduously in the
promotion of TT at the YMCA and the different clubs. At the national
level be at various times, held responsible positions and was as well
its president at one time. It was on such an occasion, that he
accompanied the TT team for the world championship in Japan where he
established a firm friendship with Tchiro Augimura, the president of the
Japan TT Association and the world TT Federation. It's through this
Mutual friendship that Augimura arranged to give 10 TT tables, balls and
nets as required for the SAF games that was held here. These are the
tables that are still being made use of here in the island. If you go
back further, Pesi after his commercial studies worked at N.R. Pestongee
and Sons whilst assisting his wife, who ran a small shop referred to as
'Abans', dealing with household electrical goods, at 369 Galle road
Colombo 4. Needless to say that from small beginnings, the little shop
was successful engouh to move over to a downstair building. Soon after
which, Abans made rapid progress to add yet other floors to its eye
catching building and, the success it has achieved is history now on
speaking to P.N. Pestonjee (PESI) over the telephone for an interview on
Wednesday, he laughed aloud heartily to question, whether it was an
'April Fools' joke and it was only then, that I realised it was April 1
and was pleased to find him in a cheerful mood.
The fair complexioned Pesi, seated at his desk at Abans has not lost
his sense of sangunity, there are times he is contemplative but equally
cheerful with a characteristic smile to say that just now it's a
critical period for the country but with the war being over the future
looks bright, notwithstanding the current meltdown. |