Kandy sportsman passes away

by Hafiz Marikar

Saeed Sulaiman, the Kingswood College, Kandy's hockey captain of 1948, passed away on June 9 after celebrating his 85th Birthday on 2nd of the same month.

He was a top class sportsman at school, where he took part in hockey, football and cricket and later played for the University, after joining the campus he also played lawn tennis and was good player and represented the University side in their annual tournament.

He did well in every sport he took part and in the year 1948 he was made the Kingswood College Senior prefect, at cricket he had done well in their rival game against Dharmaraja College which is the oldest big match in Kandy.

And was a fine football player, was well known for his long range kicks as fullback. His pet game was hockey. All three games he played for Kandy Sports Club too.

While at the University two of his Kandy friends were Prof. Kingsley de Silva and late minister Lakshman Kadirigamar, all three did well in sports.

Saeed was also a top class cueist and played the game for Moors Sports Club, and has won many club championships in Billiards. His young brother was also sportsmen; he excelled for his school Kingswood and Police, that is Deputy Inspect General of Police Rashid Suliman.

He was a Chemical Engineer by profession in Petroleum for a long spell. A person who discharged his duties with efficiency. He held several portfolios during his working period.

He leaves his wife, Marina, two sons Reza and Reaz , daughter Shaha and grandchildren and great-grandchildren.