Tracing the trajectory of basketball in Kurunegala

By A.B. Prelis

The birth of basketball in the North Western Province took place at St. Anne’s College, Kurunegala, more than a half a century ago in 1960. The first college to take up basketball in the entire North Western Province was St. Anne’s College Kurunegala and I had the privilege and honour of being the Pioneer and Founder Basketball Coach at College.

Basketball was an unknown game not only at college, but also in the entire North Western Province.

I would be failing in my obligation if I do not mention the inspiration behind my almost overnight enthusiasm for basketball. I have taken part in most outdoor and indoor sports except basketball. At St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa, where I commenced my professional career, I coached the under 14 cricketers and the Junior Soccer and the College Soccer XI for four years. 

One evening while watching a basketball game one of the students threw me a challenge: “You can play cricket and soccer, but you can’t play basketball.” This challenge stirred my sportive instincts and no sooner than the term vacation commenced, I began practicing, running dribbling, shooting, often alone and sometimes with some students. I was so keen on it that by the end of the holidays, I ws sufficiently geared to really play the game quite well. 

Taking basketball to St. Anne’s College, Kurunegala

This inspiration and challenge I took to St. Anne’s College, Kurunegala, my next station. That’s how basketball was born at St. Anne’s; a very grateful thank you to St. Sebastian’s College basketballers.

Selection of captains for the various games was up next. My nomination of Joe Rambukpotha as my basketball captain was met with severe criticism. I took full responsibility for my choice and my captain elect not only fully justified my selection, but also proved to be a real asset.

One of the first inter-collegiate matches we played was with the formidable Josephian team from Colombo. As expected, we novices were trounced very badly (over a century to our meagre 30 odd – a baptism of fire). Then I invited Jaffna Central College, and we warmly welcomed Coach Balasingham and his team. We fared much better at this encounter. We had very cordial relations with them.

Mention must be thankfully made of Rev. Fr. Hebert for his very generous support and ever willing assistance. When I first mentioned my intention of introducing basketball at college, he immediately donated half a dozen balls. He was an unforgettable personality on and off the court – a true sportsman, gentleman and revered priest. 

Another cannot-be-forgotten basketball personality was Rev. Fr. Webber, who always encouraged us with his coaching tips and his singular wit during our humble beginnings. We were privileged to play both these formidable exponents of the game and gather useful experience thereby. (St. Joseph’s Trinco and St. Michael’s Batticaloa)

Our sand court was sub-standard, so I approached the then Principal Rev. Bro. Edwin for financial help, which was denied outright. Only cricket was funded; even soccer was of not much of consequence even though St. Anne’s produced a national soccer player, national captain and national coach in late Edward Wickremasuriya. 

However, I ploughed on courageously and within a year we produced a team, strong enough to participate in the Inter-school Basketball Tournament, held at St. Joseph’s College, Trincomalee. Five of my players were named among the 25 all star players – then a very rare distinction. 

The encouraging support of late Hewagama and late Reggie Wijemanne were mainly responsible for giving St. Anne’s College the first premixed carpeted basketball court in the N.W.P. St. Anne’s should be most grateful to these two gentlemen who spared no pains to provide an up-to-date court. Not a cent was given by the college for basketball. 

The erection of the posts, boards and rings, wouldn’t have happened without the dedicated work of the much loved groundsman, the inimitable late Rogus of St. Benedict’s College fame. Thank you very much Rogus. Late Proctor Hugh Perera was another extremely generous donor to college for all sports; though very few were aware of his magnanimous donations which benefitted so many Annites. Many a time I was given a signed blank cheque for sports expenses at St. Anne’s in addition to providing his vehicle. Thank you very much, Hugh. 

Winning streak begins

In 1963 I had the added distinction of founding and coaching the first and only women’s basketball team in the entire North Western Province – “The Annites Women’s Team.”

Both Annites Men and Women began their winning streak entering major tournaments. Both teams taking part in the Kandy/YMCA invitation basketball tourney recorded a string of victories, emerging champions in both groups. The men’s team beat the much fancied Peradeniya University team in the finals.

Both teams also won the Kandy YMCA tournament three years running and thereby the championship trophy outright. R.H. Sammy captained the team to victory (Now Dr. Sammy). It was a significant benchmark of our high standards and successes.

A noteworthy feature in the Annites Women’s team was the selection of two of the players to the National Team – Maxine Joseph and Kumudu de Silva for the Nehru Gold Cup Indian Tour. Maxine Joseph had the honour of captaining the National Team, a very rare-feat for beginners from an outpost then, in one short years’ training period. They did Kurunegala and the Annites Women’s Team proud.

1963 was also a beachhead in basketball at St. Anne’s College. I organised a coaching camp; the first of its kind ever to be held in the N.W.P. I invited all the children from the neighbouring schools. The camp was conducted by the Head Coach, Dr. Edward Steitz and his Springfield College basketballers who were on their goodwill world tour. 

Dr. Steitz and his team treated an appreciative crowd to an outstanding display of basketball. They also trained the boys and girls on new techniques. We are most grateful to late Dr. Steitz and his basketball ambassadors for their encouragement and helpful tips to improve out game. 

We were extremely fortunate to benefit from them as Springfield College Massachusetts is the birthplace of basketball.  St. Anne’s had the rare privilege of profiting from Dr. Edward Steitz and his team from Massachusetts to declare open the state of the art premixed court. Our sincere thanks go to Dr. Steitz and his wonderful basketball ambassadors who gave our basketballers a tremendous boost.

Since 1963 both the Annites Men’s and Women’s teams have made vast strides and have notched great victories in their inter school and invitation tournaments. Prior to the Peace Basketball Tourney in 2003, St. Anne’s basketballers were in dire need of financial support and they even hadn’t any basketballs for practice. No sooner did I call (now late) Lakshman de Silva, half a dozen basketballs were dispatched all the way from the USA for his alma mater. 

Such was the support I received from generous and willing alumni. Late Lakshman was a Ceylon Schools’ players in his heyday providing financial backing and constant support which helped in no small measure to sustain the game at collage even up to recent times.

Peace Basketball tournament

In 2003 the first Peace Basketball tournament was organised by the Alumni Association of St. Peter’s College, Colombo. All players had to be school leavers. Participants were St. Peter’s, St. Anthony’s Katugastota, St. Michaels Batticaloa, St. Patrick’s Jaffna, St. Joseph’s Trinco, Holy Cross Kalutara, Maris Stella Negombo and St. Anne’s Kurunegala. The responsibility of organising the Annites team was entrusted on me by the Colombo Annites Alumni Association on the request of the Principal of St. Anne’s College.

With great difficulty I found eight players with whom we boldly entered the tournament. No one expected this ragged outfit to do anything spectacular, but we did the impossible and ran home unbeaten winning the championship trophy at this inaugural tournament under the able captaincy of Susil Udukumbura. 

2004 witnessed the second Peace Basketball Tournament at St. Michael’s College Batticaloa, one of the real strongholds of basketball. We were better organised this year. Circumstances somehow were against us; but even in a hostile atmosphere we reached the finals once again. 

The night before the tournament, the police officer in charge came to me and said, “Sir if your team loses the final it is good for you and your team and also for us.” I listened patiently but never conveyed this dire warning to either the captain or the players. Fortunately or unfortunately, even after leading the Michaelmen for three quarters of the game, injury struck two of the leading players and we emerged runner-up. It was a very tense situation. The player of the tournament was annexed by one of our Annites.

I have to mention the name of Eraj Peiris who was a pillar of strength right through the Batticaloa Tournament where our boys played under tension. Another two names that cannot be forgotten are those of Nihal Hettiarachchi and Lal Hewagama whose generous financial backing and generous support helped in no small measure to help sustain the game at college even up to recent times. These three were also very good players in their day.

The security situation in the country somehow did not facilitate the continuance of this bridge building, pace-fostering tournaments.

From strength to strength

The small beginnings commenced under trying financial conditions laid the foundation for the successes that followed. The initial stages at introducing basketball to college met with stone walls – no support from the college authorities whatsoever. The initial stages were really a herculean tasks. Some players who opted to turn up for basketball were even reprimanded. Such were the obstacles I faced, introducing a new sport in an established system. 

Two principals late Bro Cassian Charles and late Bro Denzil, both just dismissed us with the words – “leave the trophy on the table” when we had on both occasions won a championship trophy. Step-motherly treatment was meted out to basketball all along. 

When things get rough, the tough get rougher, and I was in no mood to brook any obstacles. Fortunately Annites alumni and well-wishers from Kurunegala always gave me their unstinted support, not only for basketball but also for soccer and athletics. I say a very sincere and grateful “thank you” to all of them.

I too had the rare privilege of visiting the birthplace of Basketball – Springfield College Massachusetts, USA.

Today St. Anne’s has made giant strides in inter school basketball and won many a championship trophy. They should never forget the hard, difficult and narrow path the beginners trod on. Whatever achievements and victories have been won, they are all due to the solid beginnings, support and wonderful co-operation of the Kurunegala sports lovers. 

I wish for St. Anne’s basketball to go from strength to strength and the Annites to remain a top-notch team always as we say POSSUMUS.

(The writer is the Founder and first Coach of basketball at St. Anne’s College, Kurunegala.)