Old Nalandians’ Sports Club to host inaugural Bandula Warnapura Memorial Lecture

Tuesday, 5 November 2024 00:57 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Bandula Warnapura

The Old Nalandians’ Sports Club (ONSC) announces the inaugural Bandula Warnapura Memorial Lecture, themed “Spirit of Sportsmanship: Cultivating Character”, scheduled for Wednesday, 6 November, at the Nalanda College Malalasekara Theatre from 9 a.m. onwards.

This annual lecture, held in memory of the late Bandula Warnapura, aims to inspire and instil values of sportsmanship and character development in young athletes. The event is poised to bring together more than 600 attendees – 300 Nalanda College sportsmen, 150 sports captains from various invited schools, family members of Warnapura, former cricketing colleagues of Warnapura from Nalanda, Sri Lanka, and the Bloomfield Cricket Club, officials of Sri Lanka Cricket, Old Boys from Nalanda, media personnel, and other distinguished invitees.

Bandula Warnapura, a distinguished Old Boy of Nalanda College, holds a significant place in Sri Lanka’s cricket history. As the first Test captain for Sri Lanka, Warnapura led his team with unparalleled dedication and skill. Beyond his leadership on the field, he was known for his commitment to nurturing young athletes and developing and promoting sports, both in Sri Lanka and overseas. His instrumental role in uplifting the standards of cricket across the nation speaks to his lifelong dedication to the game and its future.

Warnapura’s legacy embodies the virtues of resilience, leadership, and sacrifice – traits that shaped not only his career but also those of countless young sportsmen he mentored. In his memory, the Bandula Warnapura Memorial Lecture has been established to reflect his values, modelled similar to the Colin Cowdrey Memorial Lecture at MCC, which honours cricket’s spirit and values.

This first edition of the lecture will feature Chandra Schaffter, an esteemed sportsman and administrator, as the keynote speaker.

Known for his dual excellence in cricket and hockey as a Double National, Schaffter is a revered figure in Sri Lanka’s sports circles. His contributions as a cricket administrator are equally impressive, having overseen numerous Sri Lankan cricket teams with a vision rooted in integrity and excellence. Coincidently, Schaffter was the Manager to the Sri Lanka team’s Tour of India in 1982 where Bandula Warnapura captained the side.