Roshan - cager star par excellence

Angu Rajendran

At the recently concluded Basketball Nationals held in Kandy, Roshan Fernando, making his debut with the Mercantile team was declared the Most Valuable Player. Roshan is all smiles as he says 'when I started playing basketball I dreamt of playing in the Nationals and becoming the MVP, I never expected my dreams to come true so soon.

Name Roshan Fernando
School Mahanama College
Height six feet two inches
Age 22 years
Average score per match 20 points

Where are you working and how long are you working there? I am a professional basketball player in a way because I work for Hatton National Bank and the bank sponsors my basketball. I have been at the bank since I graduated from my school in 2007.

How often do you practice basketball?

I practice five times a week. This includes the three sessions a week that I practice with the bank's own team at Otters and then the rest of the time I am at St Joseph's girls school for National team practices with Ajit Kuruppu.

Did you play for the Mercantile team last year as well?

No I did not make the team because I was out of the country playing basketball while the Mercantile selections were on. So I played for the Colombo District Basketball Club last year.

Did you know that your team will win the Nationals this year too as you have for the last several years before the match started?

Why not? Our opponents the Air Force team had practiced for nearly eight months for this tournament. They were very strong opponents but I knew we would win. All the Forces play basketball all day long. We have to work, finish our job and then only go for practices. But we are all hardworking players.

How hard do you practice?

At least I take 300 shots a day minimum. End of the match, it's the baskets that count. If they go in during a match then your team will win and for that you should be able to shoot with your eyes closed even.

When did you start playing basketball and why?

I really started with athletics and cricket when I was twelve years old at Mahanama College but when the basketball coach Sriyantha Jayaweera asked me to try out for the team, I was thrilled at the speed and glory in the game of basketball. I stuck with it now for nearly ten years and I can truly say I have progressed and improved every day.

What is your goal in life?

I always aimed at getting a job in a bank. That dream came true two years ago in 2008. Then I dreamed of getting the Most Valuable Player Award at the nationals and that dream came true last week, now my goal is to get the Mercantile A division trophy for my bank. I think that too will come true this year. After that I will continue to play basketball but start doing banking exams and move up in my job.

What is your advice to youngsters?

Studies are very important. Take up a sport only if you truly love it, only then you will do well in it. If you are forced by your parents to take it up then you will not go far.

Quick Questions

Greatest impact in your life - National Coach Ajit Kuruppu

Biggest fans - My parents. They never miss a single match

Grateful to the officials of the Mercantile association and all my coaches

I love rice and curry

I hate alcohol

I spend my spare time listening to music.

Basketball Mahagedhara - St Joseph's girls school basketball court where all players from all teams come together for practices every evening.