From Vidilipura MV, Norton Bridge to Atlanta and Sydney Olympics

Premasara Epasinghe

For many a gem of purest ray serene;
The dark unfathomed caves of ocean bear;
Full many a flower is born to blush unseen;
And waste its sweetness on the Desert Air; (Thomas Grey – Elergy)

This is a fine poem that the Minister of Sports, his officials and his administrators must take into account, as it transmits a strong message that there are so many hidden talents like Susanthikas, Badras, Kulawansas and Thilakaratnas, in distant rural villages and outstations.

There are so many such flowers. Do not allow them to born to blush unseen. Tap them young.

As a lover of sports, I appeal to the Sports Ministry, go to villages, search for “Gems” from outstation. Our talent lies in the villagers. Provide them equal opportunities.

As an expert on Management Paul Garret once said – Philosophy of “Doing” things is more important than the “saying”.

A few year ago, a village lad, from Norton Bridge proceeded to Atlanta and Sydney. He is Sugath Thilakaratne, who represented Sri Lanka at two Olympic Games – 1996 in Atlanta – United States of America (USA) and in 2000 in Sydney in Australia.

Very Brief History of Olympics

For any sportsman or sportswoman, the greatest achievement, he or she can attain or achieve, in his or her life, is to represent his or her country at the Olympic Games – The world's greatest sporting event, and the greatest show piece of the world.

The ancient Olympic Games was originally held in ancient Greece, every four years of a sacred truce, records were kept from 776 B.C. Women were forbidden to take part at that time. The male contestants were naked. The ancient games were abolished in 394 AD. The present Olympic Games were held every four years since 1896.

Sugath Thilakaratne, was a village lad from Norton Bridge. He was born on July 30, 1973. His parents R A Appuhamy and M G R Lisinona, in Norton Bridge, Nuwara Eliya. They were blessed with three sons and a daughter, namely R A Ariyachandra, R A Wickramaweera, R A Nihal Jayaratne, Sugath Thilakaratne, and Suneetha Chandrakanthi.

Reached the Top-Hard-Way

As a tiny tot, Sugath Thilakaratne, started his schooling at Vidilipura. Nestling in the mountains cool salubrious pleasant climate and environment, only popular sport at Vidilipura MV was Athletics. Fortunately, Sugath came under the committed, dedicated, eyes of sports teachers – namely Jayalath Senaka Premawansa and Padmawathi.

To begin with, Sugath Thilakaratne took part in the sprint events – 50 metres, 75 metres, 100 metres and 200 metres.

There was a fine Athletic Coach at Ambagamuwa Maha Vidyalaya, Anura Bandara. He was the one, who spotted the talent of this youngster. He advised him to specialize in 400 metres.

In 1993, in Nuwara Eliya District Meet, Anura Bandara's “New find”, Sugath, came first in 400 metres. Later, at the All Island Schools Athletics Championship Meet, Sugath Thilakaratne established a new record in 400 metres – 48.50 seconds.

Sugath's golden year

The year 1993 was a golden year for this village lad, unassuming, Sugath Thilakaratne. He was selected for the South Asian Games, (SAF) trials. Sugath, created a new Sri Lanka record in 400 metres with a timing of 47.17 seconds. He took part in four (4) SAF Games, collected six gold medals. In 1993, in 4 x 400 Relay quartet comprised Damith De Silva, Mahinda Gunawardene, Suresh Dematapitiya – Final lap, Sugath Thilakaratne, created history by beating the Indian Team.

Not only two Olympics, Thilakaratne represented in four world championship games – Greece – 1997, Spain – 1999, Edmonton – 2001, France – 2003.

At the 1998, Commonwealth Games held in Japan, he won a Bronze Medal. At the Asian Championship held in Japan, he returned a time of 44.61 seconds in 400 metres, a meet record. This is one of his best achievements in his distinguished cherished career.

Moment of Glory

Probably, Sugath Thilakaratne's moment of glory was Olympic Games of 1996, held in Atlanta, USA. In a preliminary round, Thilakaratne won the first round, with a timing of 44.78 seconds, beating the reputed, famous world record holder Michael Johnson of USA, when he returned a time of 45.89 seconds.

Member of NSC

It was during the time of Sports Minister C B Ratnayake, in terms of section 492 of Law No. 25 of 1973, to advise the Sports Minister on matters pertaining to sports, he was appointed to the National Sports Council which consisted 15 members chaired by the majestic personality, Royal and Sri Lankan Ruggerite Surgeon Dr Maiya Gunasekera. I too served, the NSC under Dr Maiya Gunasekera during the tenureship of Sports Ministers Gamini Lokuge and C P Ratnayake. At that time Sugath was in the NSC, he was serving at Sri Lanka Telecom as an Assistant Manager (Marketing).