Dr.Samad Ismail introduced Hockey to Royal Ceylon Air Force

Hafiz Marikar

This tribute to Dr. A. Samad Ismail is presented to appreciate the enormous services rendered to the Kandy City by way of his sports promotion and profession as doctor with the magic hands of cure. Well known senior citizen of Kandy, he is respected among all communities, elders and youth and sports bodies in the hill capital as 'Lion King'. His contribution for sports, social service, and in his medical field should be weighed in Gold. He is the one who introduced hockey to the Ceylon Air Force, during that time known as the Royal Ceylon Air Force. He is a versatile sportsman and a dedicated spots promoter.

Many seem to have forgotten the past glorious moments of Kandy hockey, but there are still a few who remember the part played by promoters. One such person is Dr. A Samad Ismail who promoted the game in the right way with the true sense of the sport where everyone who took up the game contributed with enthusiasm at their own expenses mainly because the game was presented to the players with lots of love for the sport.

Dr. Samad Ismail started his schooling at Badulla Convent, from there to Uva College, when his father got a transfer to the Galle Police, he had to go to St. Aloysius College, from there to Wesley College, Colombo where he excelled in hockey as his pet game, Cricket and Athletics. He was at Wesley College from 1933 to 1941. While at the University he continued his sporting actives and played hockey, cricket and also was a fine Athlete. After passing out as doctor, he joined the Royal Ceylon Air Force, where he served up to 1958, he was a doctor cum pilot officer, and one of the most popular doctors of that era.

It was Dr. Samad Ismail who introduced Hockey while he was at the Royal Ceylon Air Force and this game flourished. Later the Royal Ceylon Army and Royal Ceylon Navy took to the game. He led the Airmen at hockey, and also took the game to every camp where the Airmen were housed. He was also the long time chairman of the Combined Service Hockey, which is now called the Defense Services. After leaving Royal Ceylon Air Force, he took up practicing in Bandarawela for about three years.

Dr. Samad Ismail is a gentleman to his fingertips. He is a man who stand for what is right. In the field of Social service, his left hand did not know what his right hand did. He is one of the long standing Kandy Lions Club members where he has contributed well towards the club. After coming to Kandy, he was invited to promote Hockey, and at that time people who were in the hockey federation were late P.T.Rajan who introduced the game to Kandy, it is he who invited Dr.Samad Ismail to promote Hockey in Kandy, then there was M.S. Jainudeen, Lesley Hadunge, George de Saram, E.L. Fernando, Bobby Jayaweera, P.Thangavelu, Roy de Silva, D.R.Rajalingam with him in the committee.

During his time, hockey flourished in Kandy. It is said that two or three teams visit form India and play matches here, they also gave a big hand for the National Championship for school hockey, the game which went places in Kandy. He was also one time president of the Kandy Association Football League and held the post for nearly ten years. It was Hockey and Football he loves so much and gave a big hand to both sports.

He was the President of the Kandy YMMA, where he promoted outdoor and indoor sports like - Football, Hockey, Table Tennis, Badminton, Carom and the cue sports in a big way. He was a key figure in the Association and contributed heavily towards its uplift man. One time he was the president of the Jinnha Memorail Hall, a famous meeting place (Masoora) for Muslims at one time, they had at one time the best Soft ball cricket teams.

He is the son of late Mohamed Ismail who was the first Muslim Sergeant at Arms. Dr. Samad Ismail will be celebrating his Birthday on January 23. Together with all those in Kandy we rally round to wish him a very happy birthday and many more birth's to come with good health, prosperity and lots of love from all citizens from Kandy.

He came to Kandy in 1961 and married Shiyana Ismail daughter of the Late M.Ismail. He started his private practicing down Peradeniya road in Kandy, which he is still continuing, now at Wadugodapitya Mawatha and is the most senior doctor in Kandy. A sportsman philanthropist, a social worker and above all a trusted and loving friend of everyone. He was nevertheless a reasonable and understanding leader who genuinely cared for the well-being of the public and made sure they received every cent worth of their money by his services. His image was only to be feared during working hours, however, off work he had a great sense of humor, was a great poet, loved cooking, music and a walking encyclopedia. To his loved ones he has always been a doting parent and grandparent.

As a doctor, he is to observer the Hippocratic oath in its spirit and to the very letter. He is available every day and night for treatment. No rules or other technicalities could stand in his way if a patients consult for their needs and services.

He was also the President of the Sri Lanka Cancer Society for many years, for year on the New Year day, he makes the fist visit to the Cancer Home. where he was instrumental in upgrading the facilities and widely spreading the concept that Cancer patients and their facilities should be a vital call and this must be promoted for the benefit for the have not's. We are proud to report that this society is in good hands and the proposed 700 million Hospital is been built with both State, Corporate sector, International Organizations and public funds. In 2012 when former rugby captain Shafi Jainudeen of Trinity College died of cancer just before the 1st Leg Bradby his team mates organized a day out at the Cancer Society to provide lunch for the 55 inmates in his memory. Dr. Ismail was invited as chief guest, and he presided at this function with an excellent address of the deceased with a sermon in Arabic and translated to English for the benefit of those who did not understand. All present there duly appreciated the sentiments expressed on behalf of shafi Jainudeen which came from the blues.

He has four daughters, all happily married and grand children. One of his daughters is married to Prof. Kamal Deen who shown well as an rugby inside three quarter for Trinity college, during that year Trinity was unbeaten and he was awarded Rugby colors for his outstanding performances, later he represented the Combined schools and Kandy Sports club as well before buckling down to his doctorate.

The Sports loving public of Kandy wish Dr. Samad Ismail best of luck.