Udeshi’s organizing ability in the cause of sport, exemplary

Richard DWIGHT

The mild mannered unassuming, Rajen Udeshi, who did have the privilege of serving as Chairman of the Tour Organizing Committee for the two, not too distant cricket tours into the country - does seem to belie his placid naive outlook, which is most misleading.

For the reason that at times, he could be as stern as stern could be, to unravel a knotty problem and so transform it to become viable, to earn the approval of others, for the cause at hand.

Rajen Udeshi, the teetotaller couldn’t have been the kind of man he is, nor live the kind of life he leads, were it not for his healthy wholesome upbringing at home - whereby given to sober disciplined ways, he imbibed more importantly the finer qualities of virtue.

He did benefit immensely by a wider broadbased education at Kollupitiya S. Thomas Prep, S. Thomas’ Mt. Lavinia and at Dulwich, Alleyns Surrey - to finally emerge in the fullness of time, with a degree in Business Administration from USA. All this and more did stand Rajen in good stead to join his father Naro Udeshi at Siedles and, with his father’s passing away, Rajen continues as Director, while his brother, Nimesh Udeshi, is the Managing Director.

Flamboyancy

There is no air of flamboyancy about Rajen, nor is there a semblance of arrogance in him. Endowed with a pleasing personality and of a friendly disposition his watchwords are honesty and integrity, which at no time could be compromised. He is humble enough to openly say that he was not an active participant of any sport, but hastens to add that he was a keen follower of cricket, tennis and basketball.

Rajen however takes comfort in the thought that his father, Naro was a champion at Table Tennis and, one who did much for the furtherance of TT, both at the YMCA and at the National level. Being, very interested in cricket and closely following the progress made by the different Test cricket playing countries - Rajen’s first involvement with Sri Lanka Cricket proper, commenced in 1999 during the Interim Committee headed by Rienzie Wijetilleke, where Sidath Wettimuny requested him to join the Marketing and Sponsorship Committee.

Rajen’s services in this capacity, was sought after, as and when the need arose, by Sidath.

He did as well have a flair for giving cricket commentaries over radio, especially during the years 2004, 2006 and 2007 and stood thankful to Roshan Abeysinghe, Saman Waturagama, the SLBC Producer and to Sanjay Manjerekar for his helpful advice on commentating on cricket.

But by far the one who entrusted him with maximum responsibility, was none other than, Arjuna Rantunga, who appointed him to be the Chairman of the Tour Organizing Committee in April 2008 and to so prepare for the Indian tour here in July/August 2008.

According to Rajen, challenging as the ordeal was, it was nevertheless enjoyable with having to virtually see to all the arrangements of the tour.

Grounds

This did entail the overseeing of the grounds, like the ordering of tables, chairs, marquees and the ensuring of security whilst providing transport and catering services and looking into the pricing, printing and distribution of tickets.

Nor is that all for the committee must see that everything functions well in, and all other facilities are made available in the rooms of the players, umpires, match referees and within the area demarcated for the print as well as electronic media.

An exercise of this magnitude and nature could be an exhausting, exacting and an exiting ordeal, but if in the end you achieve a measure of success, then it could be both a memorable as well as a satisfying experience.

The tour in question did end on a successful note, with the committee managing to control expenses within the allocated budget.

Rajen was deeply thankful to the supportive role played by Arjuna and was very fortunate to have the services of laywer Dinali Phillips, SSP Latif to handle security, Chandana Amaradasa to be in charge of the hospitality trade, Thanga Dias for Advertising and Vikum Siriwardene.

Expertise

The presence of such expertise in their respective fields, Rajen says at times made his role as Chairman superfluous.

Needless to say, with just two weeks to go, and that too at short notice, Rajen was asked by the Competent Authority S. Liyanage to carry on as Chairman of the Tour Organizing Committee for the Indian Tour, January/February 2009.

This is fraught with significance and augurs well for Rajen.

Arrangements

The tour arrangements was made possible due to the hardwork, enthusiasm and initiative displayed by the employees of the SLC, they, Rajen felt accomplished something, that will stretch most cricket boards in the world and, whilst commending the SLC for an excellent job done said that it made life easy for him.

Rajen Udeshi’s view is that, when you embark on any venture or endeavour with failure on your mind, then you will surely fail - but if you step out with grim determination and a will to succeed, succeed you will.

Rajen endowed with administrative and organizing ability of a high order, certainly does count for much.