Nandasena Labuthale:

A sportsman and administrator remembered

by Upananda Jayasundera - Kandy Sports Special Corr.

The late Nandesena Labuthale an accomplished sportsman from Kandy and a school principal of high calibre was remembered on December 6 - his birthday by his family friends.

His sporting powers blossomed when he was at Teachers' Training College, Maharagama where he excelled in the 400 metres hurdles event under the training of former Olympic Silver Medallist - the late Duncan White who was the Physical Training Instructor at Teachers' Training College, Maharagama. Labuthale won the Thorn Hill Challenge Cup when he became the most outstanding athlete in the Government Services Meet in 1954. He further improved his skills to become All-Ceylon 400 metres hurdles champion in 1956. After graduation from the London University, he became Principal of Anuradhapura Central College and Kingswood College, Kandy. He later became Director of Education in Anuradhapura and Colombo.

When he joined the education sector he came into sports in a big way with tennis and athletics occupying his curricular activities. He represented Kandy Garden club at tennis and they became All-Island champions in 1972 and 1977.