In an era gone by, there were real stars in the tennis firmament who did the game and the country proud... .. names that come to mind are Bernard Pinto, L.P.Ernst, Rupert Ferdinands, G.N Perera, P.S. Kumara and Lasantha Fernando.
Although the game had not hit an all time high, the above mentioned kept the tennis world here on the ball, by excelling in various tournaments, playing with gusto and figuring in many nail biting finals. All mentioned were national champions and were legends in their own right.
But a man who was champion in tennis and who worked tirelessly, refusing to be asking or seeking publicity and succeeded in taking tennis to the next level was a simple and unassuming guy to whom, honesty, integrity and work was the scoring point. No flash nor big talk. That lesser known is none other than Old Royalist SURESH SUBRAMANIAM who is a tennis legend.
Love for tennis
SUBRAMANIAM’S love for the game was such that he ate, played and slept TENNIS as part of his daily life. But he never turned his back on other sports that sought his help and expertise. With the growing years after dominating the tennis court as a player, official and President his excellence did not go unnoticed and like in tennis his greatest point and victory was being elected President of the National Olympic Committee the prestigious position over looking all sports in the country.
During his playing days he was an excellent exponent with the tennis racquet in his hands.
And those who fronted up to him in tournaments had to admit his brilliant play and fell easy prey. Many were the trophies and shields he won which adorns his cupboard.
He is a very busy businessman, but in taking over the reins of the NOC has promised to give his all to uplift sport in the country at all levels. And with his tremendous contribution to tennis which is enjoying its best years now, has proved his credentials.
Will brook no nonsense
He is one who will brook no nonsense. As President of the Sri Lanka Tennis Association which post he held and as the saying goes led from the front, he saw to it that all his office bearers contributed mightily because for him the game was the thing.
During his reign he took the game to every nook and corner of the country. Even his detractors could not but begin to admire and watch in amazement the manner in which he did things for the game.
In any sport a captain has to have a team that will play as a team, putting aside any differences and working for the betterment of the player, the sport and the country.
And in this aspect SUBRAMANIAM had a team of hard working personalities who delivered as the captain required and never before had tennis enjoyed its best years. Thanks to ‘SUBS’ as he was fondly called.
Golden era in tennis
His tenure was a golden era of the game where tennis went outstation, wheel chair tennis was re-initiated. He also found the finances to attract foreign coaches. He also got world famous tennis players Margret Court and Mahesh Bupathi to visit the Sri Lanka Tennis Association and conduct coaching sessions and imparting their knowledge to the keen Sri Lanka tennis players.
International tournaments saw the light of the day during his tenure and one of them being the Asian Tennis Federation’s under -14 tour. He also saw to the conducting of the professional men’s US$ 10,000 and women’s US$ 5000 events were played here. His record from the time he headed the SLTA in amazing. He was elected Vice President of the Asian Tennis Federation. He has been Secretary General of the Asian Tennis Federation. It was pride to the country because he was the first Sri Lankan Vice President of the Asian Tennis Federation. He was unanimously elected Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tennis Association.
Five-year plan for the game
When SUBRAMANIAM took over the reins of the SLTA after being Vice President they had only 100.000 sponsorship. From the first day in the saddle he got to work and through his contacts he met and introduced a proper five – year plan. Interested in his plan sponsors were lavish with their sponsorship because he gave them the assurance that their benevolence will be well used. He was instrumental in funding the Wheelchair and Deaf and Blind school tennis projects with his own finances.
To his credit lies the installing of covered courts so that it will not spoil tournaments when it rains. The installing of covered courts came about like this.
Suresh Menon the Asia representative for ITF in submitting a report on each country in the region at the ATF AGM in Korea in paying a glowing report on the workings of the SLT under SUBRAMANIAM’S leadership mentioned that Sri Lanka lacks covered courts to conduct an international tournament as rains had interrupted many tournaments.
Efficient committee
When it came to Sri Lanka being offered the conducting of the Davis Cup Group 111 SUBRAMANIAM immediately got to work with his efficient committee and hard courts became a reality. He funded one court and got the ITF to fund another one. He also found sponsors for further courts as well. The SUBRAMANIAM’S are born for tennis. His brother Ganendran played in the Davis Cup while Suresh was a member of the squad. His brothers Ravi and Yogan were no mean tennis players and they were experienced coaches. His father too was a tennis fanatic. SUBRAMANIAM’S strong point was that he never favoured or discriminated but did things purely on merit.
To his credit tennis was introduced to Kurunegala, Negombo, Batticaloa and Ratnapura. In his game he was efficient in all shots in the game and had a tremendous serve that his opponents were struggling to return.
Unscathed record
After taking tennis to an unseen level before and proving his capabilities with an unscathed record and when the Presidency of the National Olympic Committee was falling vacant he had no greed for that high post. But those who were aware of his capabilities forced him to contest for the post. After much coaxing, he consented and contested.
And what happened is history that we delight in. Under his leadership all sports will be treated alike and are in for good times never experienced before.
SUBRAMANIAMS are legends in tennis.
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