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| Monday, 29 November 2004 |
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King of starters in Sri Lanka Life and times in sport By Premasara Epasinghe Navarathnam Vyravanathan is the most sought after starter in Sri Lanka. He had the proud distinction of representing the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games as an official. Born on 21st November 1939 at Vaddukoddai, Jaffna, he studied at Jaffna Central College, and excelled as a versatile sportsman.
Vyravanathan represented Sri Lanka in 1960, at the Triangular Meet. He was an outstanding High Jumper. He showed promise as a schoolboy Athlete. He was awarded the Best Performance Cup at the Junior National Championship Meet held in 1958, when he cleared 5 feet 11 inches. In 1959, he was placed 3rd in High Jump at the National Championship in 1959. Although Athletics was his forte, "Vyra", captained Central College Jaffna Soccer Team in 1959. Further, he excelled as a school cricketer too. In 1958, he played for Jaffna School Cricket Team against the Indian Schools Cricket Team. Later, he represented Ceylon Transport Board Cricket Team in the "A" Division. After leaving school, he persuaded a career in sports. In 1961/1962, he obtained the Teachers' Certificate in Physical Education from the Education department Madras (Chennai). Further, he was successful at the Technical Officials examination, conducted by the I.A.A.F. in 1991 and obtained a distinction. Vyravanathan was the officiating starter at the SAF Games 1991 and SAAF Athletic Championships held in Colombo in the year 1998. He performed the duties as the Technical Officer of the Sri Lanka Athletic Team for VIIth SAF Games held in Madras from 18th to 27th December 1995. He served as a member of the National Selection committee for Athletics, with effect from 13th December 1994 and as a Member of the AAA officials from 1998 - 2000. As an official, Vyravanathan, is a live wire in Athletics. So, I asked him what is the satisfaction and thrill that he gains as an official. "It is good that you asked that question. The pleasure and satisfaction that I gain in organising a meet is tremendous. Throughout the day, you are with the competition and organisers. We always respect the rules and regulations. Discipline on and off the field is very important and we follow it to the letter. Wherever we officiate, we educate the Athletes. We impart our knowledge to the up and coming Athletes. At the end of the day, if we can be satisfied, that we did our job and the duty well, impartial and treated all Athletes alike that is the greatest happiness we get. "What we wanted is to see these sportsmen and sportswomen become productive good citizens who serve our country. I firmly believe, with sports, your character illuminates"."Further, I like to give back what I have learned in the field of Athletics. For me, "Human values" are more important than rupees and cents". "Annually, I officiate with my friends in the Aidex Sports Festival for Jaipur Limb Users, organised by the Jaipur Foot Programme of the Colombo Friend-in-Need Society. I am happy that we too contributed for a worthy cause and are helping the unfortunate ones", stated Navarathnam. After returning from Chennai, he joined the Ceylon Transport Board Werahera in 1963 and retired in 2002 as Asst. Sales Manager. Vyravanathan had the proud distinction to give starts to some of the leading Athletes in the world, in the 2000, Sydney Olympic Training Centre. Further, he also discussed of various problems relating to starting with the Chief starter and starters. The Sydney Olympic Games must have been a real experience to you in your career? asked. "Yes, I gained very valuable experience and knowledge in conducting and officiating in Athletic at the Greatest Sports Event of the World," stated Vyravanathan. "I may be able to share my knowledge that I gained with other Technical officials involved in Athletics in Sri Lanka" stated the six footer Vyravanathan. The technical officials play a very important role in Athletics. You cannot run a meet without them. Judges, time-keepers and starters are vital to conduct a sports meet. The technical officials must be included with other officials, whenever teams are sent abroad, so that they gain knowledge. I presume it will definitely help to improve our standard in athletics. Vyravanathan stated that he noticed at the Olympic Games in 2000 at Sydney, Athletes were given plenty of time when they were on the "Marks". Locally, 2.1 secs are given as "Holding Time", when they are in their "Blocks". But, in the Olympic Games they are given about 2.3 seconds to begin the race. I have heard that some Athletes say that if they get a "Flying Start", they can fare well? "Athletes should always remember and strive hard to get a "Good Start". In a race it is always good if you can get a "Good Start", stated Vyravanathan. He considers, the most memorable incident in his career as a Technical Officer-starter was the victory of Susanthika Jayasinghe. In Sri Lanka, in a number of meets he has been the starter for her. "The joy and happiness that experienced when she won the Bronze. It is simply fantastic", he said. "Just imagine, when I saw with my own eyes, a school girl of 12 years, whom I have given starting orders in a sports meet held in Kurunegala many years ago winning a medal at the World's Greatest Sports Extravaganza Olympics, in 2000, cannot be expressed in words" stated Vyravanathan. Soft spoken, Vyravanathan is an unassuming personality. He is a very lovable person and a man of honesty and integrity. He is a disciplinarian. He is a good family man. They have two children. His daughter is married and settled down in England. His son is in New Zealand. |
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