Unique record - 'CS' has represented Ceylon in Athletics, Soccer and Rugby Football

ALLROUND SPORTSMAN: The renowned former Sri Lankan athlete, soccerite and ruggerite Lt. Col. C. S. Fernando holds a unique record, representing the country in all three disciplines and bringing honour and glory to the country.

Popularly known as `CS' he had his early education at Dharmaraja College, Kandy and Nugewela Central College, but he did not participate in any competitive sport during schooldays. His sporting career began after entering the University of Ceylon, Peradeniya.

From then onwards, he participated in a number of sports and finally ended up as a triple Ceylon coloursman, having represented the country in athletics soccer and rugby football. Whilst in the University from 1953-1956 `CS' won Marrs/Ramanathan Hall Colours in athletics, soccer, hockey, rugby football, cricket, table tennis and tenniquoite. During this period Peradeniya University Colours were awarded for athletics, soccer and hockey and finally University Colours were awarded for athletics and soccer.

`CS' participated in the AAA Championships from 1956 to 1964, winning the long distance events - 1500 metres and 5000 metres on several occasions. He had the distinction of being the first ever winner in the 10,000 metres held in Sri Lanka in 1957. From 1953 to 1956 he represented Ceylon University in the Inter-University Championships and was a key figure, bringing honour to the University, winning several events. In 1954 at Aligarh, India he won the 5000-metre race with a new Inter-University record. In 1955 at Bangalore, India, won the 5000-metre race for the second time for Sri Lanka in the dual championships meet and was garlanded by the great athlete from Czecholslovakia, Emil Zatopek.

CS has figured in several international meets for Sri Lanka here and abroad with success. He was a champion long distance runner and had very good timings to his credit.

Football

During the University days, he played for Kandy YMMA and in 1956-1957 whilst teaching at Holy Trinity College, Nuwara Eliya, played for the United SC team and for the District XI. After joining the Army in 1957, he came into prominence as a soccer player. He captained the Armoured Corps team which won the Army Inter-Unit Championships in 1960-1961 and was a regular member of the Army team.

CS captained the Army and the Defence Services team for a number of years. In 1961, he was selected to play for the Sri Lanka national team against the visiting Swiss side `Young Boys Berne' in the centre-half position. Then onwards he was a regular member of the national team for several years. He captained the national soccer team in 1962 at the Southern Pentangular Tournament. He played in India, Malaysia and Burma. While in Colombo, he first played for Young Dayakas SC and subsequently joined Saunders SC and played and captained the club for several years.

He played competitive rugger after joining the Army and was a regular player for the Army and Defence Services team from 1960 to 1970. In 1963, CS was selected to represent Sri Lanka at the All-India Tournament as fullback. He captained the Army and Defence Services teams. Instep kick for conversions from over 30 metres was first introduced by him in Sri Lanka. `CS' has also played in several other international rugger matches.

He was one of the few Triple Internationals in Sri Lanka. He was also a qualified coach and referee in soccer and athletics. He was a class one referee in rugby. He held the appointments in the National Associations as Hony. General Secretary in athletics, rugger and soccer. He was one time Secretary-General of the National Olympic Committee. He was the Vice-President of the Football Referees Association and Treasurer of the Veterans Athletic Association of Sri Lanka. He was also a member of Football Federation of Sri Lanka selection committee.

In 1964 he participated in the 3rd Asian Veteran Athletics Championships held in Singapore in the age category of 50-53 years. In 1985 participated in the first Veterans Athletic Meet conducted by the Mercantile AA in the age group of 50-54 and won the 800 metres, 5,000 metres and was placed second in the 1500 metres. In 1986 represented the 4th Asian Veteran Athletic Championships in Jakarta, Indonesia in the age category 50-54 and was a member of the 4x100 metres and 4x400 metres relay teams. In 1988, he participated in the 5th Asian Veteran Athletic Championships held in Taiwan in the age group of 55-59 years.

The 78-year-old `evergreen' `CS' is still not out and he is the first Rajan to represent Ceylon in all three sports and the first Rajan to hold posts of Secretary AAA, FFSL, SLRFU and NOC. L.F.