Forty not out and still at the wicket

'SPORTSCOPE', the column which I started writing in the 'Sunday Times' from 1970 completes 40 years in the media circuit this year. Not often are columnists given the latitude nor the tolerance to write a single column for the full tenure of four decades. Having enjoyed that privilege for that long, readers will pardon me for indulging in some personal reminiscences.

The innings that SPORTSCOPE has played in has been a long and arduous one. It naturally had its fair share of bumps and bouncers. But the fact that it has withstood the test of time gives one the professional satisfaction that the service to reading public has been such that it has been worth sustaining for what may be a record innings.

This column was first scripted by my predecessor Ramsay Zieglaar who was then the Sports Editor of "The Times of Ceylon" and "Sunday Times." When he left for pastures green in Malaysia, it fell on me to give continuity to the column Zieglaar started. Since then I took strike and began to play this innings knowing fully well that there will be more than a fair share of criticism and controversy. One had to be mindful that you cannot make an omlette without breaking a few eggs and the consequences may raise the temperature in the kitchen.

When I took to writing the column, I vowed to myself that I was going to play a straight bat like my coaches Edward Kelaart, Bertie Wijesinha and Francis Casie Chetty taught me when I was blossoming in the game.

We were coached to be upstanding when confronted with controversy. And this is where the wisdom of my guru at the "Times," Subbiah Muttiah, rang true. He instilled and chiseled it into me and others who worked under his tutelage, that - "facts are stubborn, comment is free". So constructive criticism founded on the bedrock of facts was key to conveying an opinion. This is where I was able to weather the storms, including two Press Council hearings and emerge unscathed as facts were stubborn and the truth prevailed. And this was where one enjoyed the confidence of the reading public especially when I had in the public interest dare to expose fraud, trickery, machinations by culprits and the corrupt.

In the early days of this fledgling column when I had the dash and daring and feared none, I had to aim the glaring light of the Sportscope on the judgments and actions of some who were at the helm of sports and sports administration. In cricketing parlance I batted and took the bouncers that were directed my way sans a helmet.

Names that I would like to mention who took the brunt of my constructive criticism and responded in a sportsmal like way were: Ministers of Sport K.B. Ratnayake, Vincent Perera, Nanda Mathew, S.B. Dissanayake, Jonhston Fernando, Lakshman Kiriella, then Cricket Board Presidents N.M.Perera who was the Minister of Finance, Lakshman Jayakoddy, Gamini Dissanayake, T.B. Werapitiya and later Reinzie Wijetilleke, Vijaya Malalasekera, Ana Punchihewa, Upali Dharmadasa and his brother Jayantha, Thilanga Sumathipala, Mohan de Silva and Arjuna Ranatunga.

Many of the above-mentioned though not comfortable with criticism levelled conceded that SPORTSCOPE was simply doing his job for the benefit of the game.

A case in point was many years ago, I exposed the shortcomings in the then Cricket Board, especially its finances in an article headlined - "This is how the money goes". The President of the Board at that time telephoned my Chairman and insisted that I be sacked immediately.

My Chairman summoned me along with my Editor who at that time was Felician Fernando. He opened the meeting by being upfront and stating that I was to be sacked. He inquired as to what I had written that has enraged that Cricket Board President.

A detailed explanation was given to my Chairman. My Editor supported me all the way, in an objective manner. To the credit of my Chairman he listened very intently and realizing that I had written facts finally told me - young man you can go on criticizing that President and the Cricket Board, but remember to state facts and I will stand by you. I still doff my hat to that magnanimous Chairman.

It was not only cricket that experienced the Sword of Damocles. Football, rugby, hockey ,tennis and basketball most other sports got praise when it was due and criticism when it was deserved.

Of the Ministers of Sport the most I admired was K.B. Ratnayake. The moment my column would appear he would get his efficient secretary Lionel Madugalle to analyse the column and forward to him a report.

KBR who was a keen follower of this column would immediately act on the exposures. What is still vivid in my memory was how Ratnayake acted on the exposures made on rugby selections for a tour and changed the composition of that squad and scrummed in the deserving who were left out, once he was convinced that gross injustices had been done.

In recent times two of my colleagues, who were unable to appreciate the popularity of this column, went out of their way to stop the column and succeeded, but only briefly as truth prevailed. Ironically they themselves had to be shown the exit! There were also occasions when anonymous calls received blasting me for what had been written; threats were made to fling acid and even send the columnist six feet deep. But this is part and parcel that life in the inky profession where one has to do one's work with fear or favour.

After the closure of the Times Group this column has continued in the 'Daily News' and 'Sunday Observer'. The column now appears as 'COMMENT' in the Daily News and SPORTSCOPE in the Sunday Observer.

Thanks are due to the Editors who gave me the strength and encouragement. They are H.E.R. Abeysekera, Reggie Michael, Felician Fernando, Victor Gunewardene, D.B. Udalagama, B.H.S. Jayawardena, E.P.de Silva, Elmo Gooneratne all of the Times of Ceylon and Manik de Silva, S.R. Paranavitharne, Nihal Ratnaike, Bandula Jayasekera, Pramod de Silva, Jayatilleke de Silva, Arjuna Ranawana and Dinesh Weerawansa of the Daily News and Sunday Observer.

All in all it has been a rewarding and enjoyable 40 year experience.