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| Sunday, 7 April 2002 |
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In the box seat by Srian Obeyesekere He was like Sri Lankan cricket's Mr.Nobody. In a game as controversial
off the field as it is known to be in the middle where And there again he was running into conflict with the hierarchy after returning back to the game he left in disgust. This time as coach of the Sri Lanka `A' team. A no go situation where he did not see eye to eye with the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) as to having two coaches leading to the former star bowing out. But when it looked like Mahanama, who has given his heart and soul towards the upliftment of Lankan cricket had to retire hurt a second time around, he finds himself suddenly thrust right up the order. No, not the batting order where he was juggled about, but in the highest decision making body of the BCCSL's interim committee that guides the destiny of the country's cricket. Indeed, it is just reward for the blood and sweat Mahanama has given to Lankan cricket. Reward for what the game is from the infancy days of three decades ago when our cricket was labouring to cope with the might of a West Indian bouncer or the flurry from a Vivian Richards bat. It was the Mahanamas as several other doyens who brought this little known isle from a staggered image to new heights where it holds its own among the giants in the game. To a point of dictating it to some of the former giants if not all. That Mahanama was did not drop on the wayside as it looked that would have taken him away forever from serving with love the game he cherishes is indeed due to the far sightedness of Sports Minister, Johnston Fernando who evidently has seen there is much more the former Nalandian can give back to the game as an administrator. In naming Mahanama among the 10-member interim committee, the youthful minister has underlined accent on youth for better administration. For Mahanama, who resigned his job from the `A' team in perhaps the same disillusionment as when he retired from the game some 3 years ago, it is like the third coming. The same week he hung up his boots from the chore of coaching, the onetime star who came to be regarded among the world's greatest of fielders in his time, discovered he was not short of demand. There he was making a bee-line for India where the cameras were waiting for him. Mahanama was to be featured by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as Sri Lanka's Sports Person in taking the message across to the world of the importance of tobacco free sports for its South East Asia Day. It was not only an honour for Mahanama but Sri Lanka as well. The WHO had a nominee from every country for its theme day. Before him, Sri Lankan captain, Sanath Jayasuriya having also been bestowed the honour. And as Mahanama takes strike in a different role, it will be as challenging as during his playing days. A new role where he would certainly look to cleanse the country's cricket stables in ensuring that talent after him would not suffer the same fate as him. Where latent talent would find its rightful place unlike the Asanka Gurusinhas along with him who found the doors shut on them when they had much more to offer. |
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likes and dislikes
take centre stage. And Roshan Mahanama is one of those cricketers whose
career self admittedly could not meet desired ambition. Resultantly for
reasons other than performance that preempted his retirement from the
game.
