Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club celebrates 125 years of sporting excellence

Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club President Ramesh Schaffter (right) presents a bat signed by Sir Donald Bradman to Club Patron C.T.A. Schaffter at a press conference to announce the celebration of the club’s 125th anniversary. Others (from left): Vice President Gemunu Rodrigo, Deputy President Dr. Rajan Saravanamuttu, Immediate Past President A. Kandasamy, and General Secretary Anish Parathalingam – Pic by Shehan Gunasekara

• Unveils anniversary logo and year-long commemoration program

The iconic Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club, one of Sri Lanka’s oldest and most prestigious sporting institutions, has announced the launch of its 125th anniversary celebrations. 

Founded on 2 December 1899, the Club marked the significant milestone with a special press conference held at its home ground, the legendary P. Saravanamuttu Stadium recently.

The Tamil Union’s 125-year journey represents an important chapter in the country’s sporting history. Officials unveiled the commemorative anniversary logo and comprehensive calendar of activities designed to honour its rich heritage and contributions to Sri Lankan cricket and the nation’s sporting arena. 

The historic club, which has been integral to the development of the sport, will host various tournaments, heritage exhibitions, and community outreach programs throughout the year. These events will bring together past and present members, cricket personalities, and the wider Sri Lankan community to celebrate this unique achievement in the club’s storied history.

Recognised as the Home of Cricket in Sri Lanka, the historic club is deeply intertwined with the nation’s cricketing journey on the world stage. Built in 1943, the P. Saravanamuttu Stadium was Sri Lanka’s first stadium of its kind. Notably, Sri Lanka’s inaugural Test match against England was held at the P. Saravanamuttu Stadium in February 1982. 

The grounds also holds the distinction of being the only venue outside Australia and England where the legendary Sir Donald Bradman played cricket. The stadium also was the venue for the country’s first Test victory.

Throughout its history, the Tamil Union has been instrumental in developing cricketing talent from diverse backgrounds. The club’s most momentous ambassador is spin bowling maestro Muttiah Muralitharan, who claimed a record 800 Test wickets in 133 matches, making him the leading wicket-taker in international cricket history.

Memorably, M. Sathasivam, one of Sri Lanka’s greatest batsmen, was produced by the club. He first played for Ceylon in 1945, scoring a glorious 111 runs against India. In 1948, he captained Sri Lanka against Don Bradman’s Australia. His best and final century in the island came in 1955, when he scored 206 not out for the ‘Rest’ team against Government Services at the Nondescript Cricket Club Ground in Colombo.

The Tamil Union’s sporting excellence extends beyond cricket. The club has a distinguished history in hockey, producing A. Mylvaganam, widely considered Sri Lanka’s greatest hockey player and adage ‘The Hockey Wizard.’ Mylvaganam represented Ceylon in numerous international tournaments and was renowned for his exceptional stick work and strategic gameplay that elevated the nation’s hockey standing on the world stage.

Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club President Ramesh Schaffter said: “For 125 years, the Tamil Union has been at the heart of Sri Lankan cricket, witnessing and contributing to many historic moments that have shaped our national sporting identity. During this anniversary, we will pay tribute to the countless individuals who have shaped our legacy, celebrate the past, and also recommit ourselves to nurturing cricket talent and set the foundation for our next century of sporting excellence.”

Beyond cricket, the Tamil Union offers a wide range of sporting facilities including swimming, badminton, squash, tennis, and a fully equipped gymnasium. The club also serves as Sri Lanka Cricket’s centre for women’s cricket, providing the national women’s team with training facilities and infrastructure. Also, it functions as a vibrant social club as well, featuring well-stocked refreshments, an excellent kitchen serving varied cuisine, and hosts numerous social activities that bring members together throughout the year.