Bobby Jayaweera remembered by Kandyans on his 100th birthday

Hafiz Marikar

On 11th was the 100th birth anniversary of Kandy's famous Sportsmen, sports promoter and coach the late H.B.Bobby Jayaweera. On this day he was remembered by everyone who knew what his contribution for sports, as a sportsmen, coach and promoter.

H.W. Bobby Jayaweera, better known as Bobby, was a doyen of sports in Kandy; he was a teacher mentor to many thousands of young men and women who had the fortune to be guided by him at different stages. He was a product of Trinity College, where he excelled in Rugger, Boxing and Athletics among the greats such as Duncan White. He later played Hokey and Football for clubs in Kandy, both these sports were not at Trinity during his time.

Soon after school, Bobby competed his secondary schooling, he later was offered the potion of an Agriculture Instructor, and sent to India for training. On his return, he took up the position as Manager of the Trinity College Farm, during this time it was located at Asgiriya grounds. In addition to his teaching and Managerial duties, he was the schools much loved boxing coach, and produced such accomplished boxers like Leslie Handunge who represented the country at the 1948 Olympics Games and was the first Ceylonese to enter an Olympic ring and win an Olympic bout. He captained the Ceylon team for the 1952 Olympics Games.

As a teacher and mentor, Bobby he held in great esteem by those who came under his tutelage, notable among was Jayantha Danapala, Lakshman Kadirigamar, and Lakshman Jayakody among a host of others. He played rugger for Kandy Sports Club as wing forward for many years and also had the distinguished of playing against overseas teams. He played Football for Kandy Rovers and Up-Country, and gave a big hand for the promotion with late M.S. Jainudeen. Bobby's love for sports, and his firm belief in the benefits of sports and games for the development of sports was for young sportsmen, who led him to accept several assignments in the hill capital, coaching teams in Rugger, Boxing, and Hockey.

He is the man who introduced boxing to Vidyartha College, today they are at their best, it was he who introduced rugby to St. Sylvester's College in 1956 and the team was led by Malcolm Marshal. Also coached rugby teams of St. Anthony's College, there first coach in the late 1950's. And was the hockey coach of the Peradeniya University. He also worked as the Senior Marshall of the Peradeniya University; a Counselor and mentor to many. He was always there to lend a helping hand to many undergraduates transiting to life on Campus, a totally new experience in the early 1950's. They graduated and sought to find their respective niches in life many of them from Jaffna to Badulla would seek his guidance and encouragement, a note of introduction thee took many a young graduate to a position in the Public and private sector, where Bobby was held in great esteem.

He was a great believer in the doctrine of humanity, and the principle that "All men are created equal", and serve a helping hand regardless of where they came from. In the words of one of his grateful student, Bobby was the quintessential sportsman, not just on the playing field, but towards the great game of life itself.

He was a close fried of my uncle late M.E. Marikar the well known sportsmen and sports writer. Late A.J.M. Yusuf a FIFA referee and University Marshal, Bobby's family members gave alms to inmates of destitute homes Bobby will not be forgotten by the sports loving public of Kandy and a person who said "Say yes to less - more to life".