Satchi and wife have spread athletics right down the line

By: Meghavanna Kumarasinghe

An athlete who - went up in progress of the sport .... Kanapathipillai Sathchithananda (well known as 'Satchi' in Athletics field) was born on 11th October, 1935 in Kotahena, and studied at St. Benedict's College. In his schooldays, he preferred playing cricket and soccer, but he dislocated his shoulder while bowling fast medium pace in a home and home match. This put an abrupt end to his cricketing career as well as soccer.

The love for sports forced him to take to athletics by chance and this sport helped him to climb the steps of glory and fame. At College, he competed in 440yds and 880yds events in school athletic meets annually.

After leaving school in 1958, he joined Bank of Ceylon and took part in athletics and was a pioneer member to form the Bank of Ceylon Athletic Club, and the officer responsible to organize the first Duel Athletic Meet between Bank of Ceylon and Central Bank.

He won the 440yds and was a close second in the 880yds event. That was the start of his athletics career. Thereafter, it was winnings and placing consecutively at the Mercantile and Government Services meets. Number of times he was runner-up to the "Wonder Boy", A.S.M. Khan, (who represented Sri Lanka, (then Ceylon) at the Asian Games) in 800 metres at the Government Services and AAA National Meets.

At the first Nationalised Services meet he won a double in the 800 meters and 1,500 meters events.

In 1960, when the first marathon was introduced to Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) and organised by the Ceylonese Track and Field Club, Satchi was one of the participants, but failed to get a place. This made him train harder and in subsequent marathons, he was placed within the first ten on several occasions. He participated in the marathon till 1970.

In the latter part the participants of the marathon were Linus Diaz, who represented Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) at the Olympics in Rome, Denzil Fernndo, R.J.K. Karunananda, A.W. Alphousus, J.M. Punchibanda, Wimalasena Perera, Mervyn Perera, Gw.A. Parkian, A.P. Wimalasena, S.L.B. Rosa, amongst others.

Satchi, in addition to his athletics entered the administrative field and held the post of Hony, Secretary AAA of Sri Lanka and later Vice-President of the AAA.

He is currently Vice-President of the ACE A.C. the oldest athletics club in Sri Lanka. He has been the Hony. Secretary of the Mercantile Athletic Federation for the past 29 years.

His great achievement was to participate in 800 meters and 1,500 meters events continuously till 2012 at Mercantile Athletics Meet. In 1975 the AAA of Sri Lanka selected him to follow an IAAF course in athletics coaching and administration in Patiala, India, conducted by the IAAF and Olympic Solidarity jointly.

Satchi married one of his athletic pupils, Mallika in 1963. She was a high ranked athlete at that time. In the same year she won the National title in the 1,500 meters event. She was a record holder in 100 m and 200 m events at the Govt, Services Meet. She was, in addition a good netball player which helped to maintain her athletic figure and stamina.

Sri Lanka Veterans Association was established in 1985 by a group of former Sri Lanka Athletes, K.L.F. Wijedasa, P.H.D. Waidyatilleka, Denzil Fernando, Lt. Col. C.S. Fernando, Ranjith Weerasena, H.B. Jayasekera amongst others.

Retired senior athletes were given a unique opportunity to participate in their respective events at veterans athletic meets generally held abroad and to bring honour to Sri Lanka.

Satchi and his wife Mallika have represented Sri Lanka at every Veterans and Masters Athletic Games from 1982 onwards. The husband and wife duo, won more than 100 medals between them (Gold, Silver and Bronze) at these championships.

Mallika has been selected to represent Sri Lanka at the 18th Asian Masters Athletic Championship to be held in Japan in September, 2014. Her participating events will be 800m, 1500m races and 5000m walk, in 75-79 years age category.

Satchi, the ever green veteran athlete, at present in his late seventies and Mallika a few years younger, consider their training as a part of their daily diet. Age is no barrier to the sporting husband and wife.

Satchi and Mallika are blessed with two children, eldest daughter Anusha is an Accountant in Canada and son Rohan, Senior Technician at Telecom.

The happily married sporting couple are now grandparents of four children. I wish them long life and happiness by the grace of Almighty.