To Leslie with love

Camillus FERNANDO

I find it extremely difficult to come to terms with the fact that you are no more in the land of the living. Your death was not sudden but an au-revoir after enduring the agonies of a terminal disease courageously and patiently borne for one an half years which was indeed admirable. In the final moments you were surrounded by your wife, son and daughters praying for you for a peaceful departure - a bundle of energy finally gasped its last breath out with a faintish smile on your lips.

Already two eminent sports journalists have written about you. They had lauded you for the contribution you made as a dedicated sports journalist who won the hearts of its readers by writing in an inimitable style of your own. I am too inclined to echo the candid sentiments experienced by them.

So many incidents and nostalgic memories of our growing together flash across my mind. Being the youngest in a family comprising five brothers and three sisters you were the pet of our parents. Though you were the last but not the least when considering your achievements as you grew up into a matured individual.

The playing fields at the Mutwal beach, Elie House Park, Ratnam and Paradise playgrounds where we played soft ball cricket in the sultry heat of the day was the nursery from which we graduated to play cricket in school, clubs and state services tournaments.

We shared life together since the difference was only three years. We shared family life together until marriage separated us. At times we silently applauded each other in our achievements. Your duties as a husband, father and father-in-law were executed to perfection.

I have haunting memories of you excelling in various forms of sports both in college and at club levels. How could I ever forget the numerous times we have played in the opposing sides in the state services cricket tournaments and at club level. I found it extremely difficult to dislodge you as an opener with my fastish off cutters and leg cutters. You really excelled as a batsman in the mould of Collin Cowdery, close in fielder, a slow bowler and a shrewd captain.

Your entry into this ribald trade of sports journalism did not provide a shock to me since you had the practial experience both locally and abroad which you put to good effect in sports reporting. Sports you covered from various countries for the benefit of your astute readers.

Journalistic achievements did not alter your humility and simplicity. That soft smile that emanated from your eyes perpetually was indeed a remarkable sight to behold.

You took life as it came even the terminal illness that terminated your life was accepted ungrudgingly.

You were an ace dancer who could hold the dance floor sway with dignity and poise, adopting yourself to any type of rhythm with ease, a gifted slicer too.

I hope journalists of your calibre will not gradually fade away into oblivion but remembered for yeoman services rendered to the citadel of journalism for which you were recruited by the eminent journalist late Clarence Fernando.

If there is a reward to be conferred to a sports journalist posthumously, I feel certainly you quite rightly deserve it.

Anyway I miss you badly. Good bye dear brother until we meet in the bliss of eternity. May the turf you loved so much lightly lie on you.