Mercantile Table Tennis Association of Sri Lanka marks 65 years

By Eric Motha

The Inter Club Championships were successfully conducted in September as a prelude to the Open Championships scheduled for November 2022.

The Mercantile Table Tennis Association (MTTA) has grown in stature and popularity over the passage of time with an array of dedicated officials totally committed to continuing the saga that commenced in the mid ’50s with delegates from the mercantile sector and commercial banks. It behoves us to recall and remember Messrs. Robin L. Rutnam, M. Balaji, A.K. Nesaratnam, N.M. Udeshi, Charlie Daniel, Noshir Lakdawalla, and C. Paramananthan who guided the destinies of the association during the formative years. The baton was then handed over to charismatic Chandrakant Mohanlal Vasa whose contribution was unique in many aspects. He will always be remembered with respect and affection by all those who had the fortune of teaming up in implementing several programs during his tenure.

In 1969 history was created when the inaugural ‘Bouncing Ball’ was organised when Noshir Lakadawalla was President. The event, a first in the mercantile sector, was revived after a hiatus by energetic Vice President Rodney St. John. It proved the ideal forum for the TT players and guests to join in revelry and camaraderie at the conclusion of the association’s program. On a sad note Noshir Lakadawalla passed away this year in the USA. He held the distinction of having won the National Men’s title whilst as a student at STC Mt. Lavinia at the age of 15. 

Vasa possessed a vision for the MTTA and during his Presidency extended over a decade and ushered in a new era with a marked increase in the number of TT players in the mercantile sector and securing sponsors, a requisite for a viable sports organisation. He was ably assisted by a team comprising Rodney St. John, W. Daluwatte, A.K. Issadeen, Rasakantha Rasiah, Annesley Gomez, Lucian Alles, Leonard Perera, N.E. Thangarajah, Sarath Gunaratne, Sunimal Salgadoe. Francis Legrand, Austin Fernando, Ajith Gamage, M.R. Jabir, Sunil Meewewa, Darlon Pereira, D.M. Munasinghe, Shirley Botejue, A.C.M. Rauff, D'Oliveira, Tony Antonius, Robert Joseph among others. The writer succeeded Vasa at the helm followed by G.E.P. Jayatileke, M.R. Jabir, Sarath Gunaratne, Ajith Gamage, Rajive Wijetunge, Vimarshana Gammanpila, Sukhita Samarakkody and Chanaka Perera the current President.

It is on record that several officials of the MTTA were elected to serve in the Table Tennis Association of Sri Lanka. They were involved in both associations and carried out their duties with equal candour and dedication solely motivated by an innate desire to serve. The officials were: Sarath Gunaratne, Rajiva Wijetunge, Lalith Priyantha (Presidents) V. Gammanpila and Ashan Wickramanayake (VP) Ajith Gamage, Reza Latiff and Dhananjaya Dharmarathne (Secretary) and Gamunu Prabath (Asst. Treasurer)

It is a matter for pride that the MTTA had through the decades produced a galaxy of players who emerged as national champions and ranked players and represented the country at international tournaments with success:

N.M. Udeshi, Charlie Daniel, Chrys Gunaratne, Noshir Lakdawalla, Paul Thambinayagam, R.K. Singham, K. Arichandran, K.C. Chandraraj, Pesi Pestonjee, Annesley Gomez, Suresh Melvani, Ashok Melvani, Angelo Santiago, Rasakantha Rasiah. Sarath Gunaratne, M.B. De Silva, Ramesh Dharamdas, George Van Hoff, I. Jayasiri, Lalith Priyantha, Shabbar and Shabbir Hussain, W.A. Buddhasiri, Nihal Gunaratne, Lalith Perera Thilina Piyadasa, Nirmala Jayasinghe, K.S.T. Chalitha Rangana, Chameera Ginige, Belle Weerakoon, Cuckoo Fonseka, Nandini Daniel, Srini Lucas, Carol Rudolph, Swarna Peiris, Namal Gunasekera, Shyamalee Dias, Tamara Hewage, Kalpani Herath, Srimali Wimalaratne, Deepika Kotinkaduwa, Saranga De Silva, Sachie Tennekoon. My apologies for omissions, if any.

Thilina Piyadasa has annexed the National Men’s Championship for a record seven times.

Rajiva Wijetunge holds a prolific record as an administrator, selector and player, having participated in MTTA tournaments for 40 years and helped Ceylon Tobacco and MAS

Holdings to win the “A” Division Championships on several occasions. He won the Veterans Singles Championship too. Rajiva holds the record of being the 1st Sri Lankan to win a medal for TT at the World Masters Games held in Canada in 2006. He also won medals for Sri Lanka with creditable performances at the World Masters and Masters Championships in S. Africa and New Zealand adding to his laurels. The association had the privilege and patronage of sponsors and Vice Patrons since its inception. Messrs. M. Balaji, N.M. Udeshi, A.K. Nesaratnam, Ana Punchihewa, Dr. I.A. Ismail, L.C.R. Wijetunge, Inayet Akberally, Aloy Ratnayake and Chandrakant Vasa made a significant contribution.

Sukhita Samarakkody during his term as President organised a very successful Awards Nite. The tradition will continue with the Colours Awards ceremony scheduled for 10 December, 2022 under the chairmanship of Chanaka Perera, the current President.

Rajiva Wijetunge, Ajith Gamage and M. Ruzaik Jabir teamed up well with Vimarshana Gammanpila, Sukitha Samarakkody and the incumbent President who followed them in office with their advice and necessary assistance in furthering the activities of the MTTA with diligence and commitment. The amalgam between the MTTA and TTASL was a key factor in the smooth functioning of both sports bodies. It is encouraging to learn that this partnership in promoting table tennis at the Mercantile and National levels proved a great success.

The writer is the Founder Member and Former President of the Mercantile Table Tennis Association.