|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 21 September 2003 |
 |
|
 |
Sports |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Tony Opatha ready to help Sri Lanka cricket in a big way by A. C. DE SILVA
It is said that behind the success of every man is a woman. This is particularly so when one takes note of the success in business ventures of former Sri Lanka cricketer, Lancashire League player and Netherlands coach 56 year-old Tony Opatha who is back in Sri Lanka to set up a business venture with the fine supporting role played by his charming wife Sandra. Opatha needs no introduction to followers of cricket in this country. He played for Sri Lanka for 11 years from 1971 to 1981 before Sri Lanka achieved Test status and the hard work of Opatha and the others during those years eventually paid off as Sri Lanka achieved Test status in 1982. He played with the best players here and against the best from other countries. He played for Sri Lanka in two World Cup Tournaments in 1975 and 1979 and then played in the Lancashire League tournament from 1975 to 1980 and has a long coaching spell of 24 years with Netherlands. Tony Opatha is in Sri Lanka to help the country to improve the standard of cricket and has offered his services to Sri Lanka Cricket. "I hope my coming to Sri Lanka will not mean that someone has to be sacked. I have come here to help", he said. With loads of experience behind him, Sri Lanka will do well to make the best possible use of Tony Opatha to improve the standard of the Test cricketers here. He has met Vice-President of Sri Lanka Cricket Aravinda de Silva and the two of them have discussed the areas of Sri Lanka cricket that needs some brushing up. Opatha should be able to serve in the capacity of co-ordinator of our cricket, so that he would be in a position to impart the knowledge that he has gained to the Sri Lankan coaches. He said that he prefers not to coach here but whenever possible he would coach free of charge. Former Sri Lanka cricketer Opatha has also met Sports Minister Johnston Fernando and both parties expressed their desire to do what they can for the benefit of Sri Lanka cricket. Right now, Opatha has consented to coach Bloomfield and NCC free of charge, but before he really gets down to hard work, he will be going to Melbourne, Australia to do an advanced course in coaching for 12 days at the end of this month. In the Netherlands, Opatha had the opportunity of coaching 14 clubs and his efforts in coaching such a large amount of cricketers brought out the best from the players and his efforts had tangible results as he was able to get up 26 national cricketers and at the last World Cup he had nine of his pupils playing for Netherlands. He has also coached in South Africa, Ireland and in Bangladesh and before those coaching stints, he also had a shy at the Lancashire League as a player from 1975 to 1980 after the first World Cup. In between cricket, he also set up his business - a sports travel company (Aro Travels in 1992 in Rotterdam) and he is the Managing Director there and the business is flourishing. Before getting into the Sri Lanka team, this medium-fast bowler played for St. Peter's for four years, captaining the team in 1967. He then played Sara Trophy cricket and was involved in one of the most interesting matches in 1972. Tony Opatha played for the CCC captained by former Thomian captain Dan Piachaud. The CCC batted first and made 111 and Tamil Union crashed to 9 runs for 9 wickets at which stage they declared and Opatha showed his prowess capturing 5 wickets for just 1 run and that included a hat-trick. The Tamil Union team was captained by the late S. S. Kumar. On leaving school, Tony Opatha joined the Air Force and it was there he came to know of his lifelong partner Sandra Jayamaha and the two said 'I do' in Sri Lanka on August 5 this year. 'She is the ideal partner for me. She is energetic, has creative ideas", he said, and in lighter vein, he said: "She is my boss". |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
