by Gamini Perera

Cometh the hour, cometh the man. In the case of Jupiters SC, Negombo — which celebrates its Golden Jubilee, this year — it is Goluhewage Dunstan.

"No individual in the Club’s history had done more for Jupiters, had risked more personally and financially, had taken much criticism, set higher goals and then achieved them, than had Dunstan," says Jupiters’ secretary A. Benjamin and club colleagues.

Phenomenal

To celebrate a golden jubilee is indeed a phenomenal achievement.

Founded in 1952, that reputed and famous football club in Negombo-Jupiters Sports Club, enters its Golden Year this year 2002.

Headed by the handsome and affable Dunstan, the Jupiters had always been the most largest senior of the football clubs in Negombo, these fifty golden years.

"The Year 2002 is a memorable year for Jupiters and we hope to celebrate this landmark year fittingly and to fulfil some of our hopes and aspirations," said Dunstan when ‘The Island’ met him at his beautiful residence down Thammitta Road, in close proximity to the Negombo Town, one Sunday morning.

Associated with Dunstan, who resembles a film star, were Jupiters Secretary, A. Benjamin and coach Nava Prince.

Time for Island

"I am very busy these days, but, nevertheless, kept time for ‘The Island’ today.

It’s very, very heartening to see you here and this is the first occasion any newspaper journalist had come to see us and to report on our club," said Dunstan, standing up to meet this writer. He first wished ‘The Island’ a happy and prosperous New Year.

"Jupiters rise to fame in the local football scene and its journey for 50 long years has never been a bed of roses," began Dunstan.

Many had been the drawbacks and the setbacks. Jupiters had confronted on this long journey to fame. But, Dunstan was not a man to be put out by such reactions.

Being the Proprietor, Galison Motor Traders, Importers and Dealers in Motor Vehicles, in the heart of Negombo, Dunstan, began to campaign for Jupiters SC, a football club, which he reckons as "the only movement that brings youngsters for a common and singular purpose under a common set of rules — Association Football."

Passion and zeal

With the passion and zeal of an evangelist, Dunstan threw himself into campaigning for the Jupiters for almost a decade ago, not withstanding the misgivings from all sides.

What are your immemediate plans for the Jubilee Year, ‘The Island’ asked him.

"Well, one of our biggest drawbacks, is the absence of a club house and a ground to call our own. We have received a 5-perch land and we hope to lay the foundation stone for a Club House, to coincide with the Jubilee year. We are very thankful to the Negombo Municipal Council for this gracious gift," Dunstan remarked.

"To raise money, we hope to have a Carnival and an Invitation Football tournament in Negombo. Mr. Manilal Fernando of the Football Federation has promised to help Jupiters in any conceivable way and to bring in a foreign team to participate at this Invitation football championship," Dunstan said.

History

The history of Jupiters dates back to 1952 and its first President was Osman. The office-bearers during the formative years were, Shereen Ahlip, Deroon Ahlip, C. M. Mantara (who later became one of Sri Lanka’s best football refs), Juhaheer, Nizar Ahamad, S. A. Lawrence, Innocent Fernando, Cletus Perera, M. Thayalan, who has been Jupiters President for the last quarter century.

Jupiters had produced many national players and among them are, Dennis Peiris, Gamini Madurawela, Bernard de Silva, Sumith Walpola, John Fernando, R. M. U. Mahaindapalitha, Rumy Packeer Ally and Asoka Ravindra (later of Abhani fame), M. Zaheer, Nizardeen, the late M. A. V. Fernando (who captained Sri Lanka and was player cum coach for Jupiters for many years).

In 1990, Dunstan was elected as a Vice-President unanimously. Since then he had been playing a very active and vital role in the renaissance of Jupiters S.C.

Jupiters emerged unbeaten in the Bristol League championship in 1998/99. They drew against such versatile Colombo teams as Saunders (0-0), Renown (1-1) and Ratnams (1-1). It was during this time that the FFSL awarded the Trophy to Jupiters as ‘The Best Disciplined Team’ in the championship.

"We even won a cash prize of Rs. 25,000/-", chipped in secretary Benjamin.

In the 1999/2000 season, Jupiters were the second runner-up in the ‘A’ division. These teams had such players like, Dilip Peiris, Nishantha Fernando, M. Rauff, Sampath Fernando, Mahes Perera, Farook, to name just a few.

New coach

In the 2001/2002 season, one of Jupiters fine players, Nava Prince was made its coach. Another past player, Sohan Fernando, is Nava’s assistant.

Today, Jupiters had turned semi-professional. The club pays Rs. 100,000/- as salaries to the players and to give them perks.

"During our successful periods, Jupiters lost some of her valuable players, been dragged to other clubs in the area. But, we were never perturbed and carried our business in a calm and serene manner. This sort of thing is all in the game," Dunstan, the former Negombo CC paceman told ‘The Island’, in a relaxed mood.

An outstanding feature in the Jupiter’s rise to fame has been that none of their players succumb to robust and unruly football. They have been the only team to have received the minimum number of cards, (Yellow and Red) given to players who indulge in foul and unwarranted play.

"Jupiters Sports Club is not the private property of any individual. It belongs to all those who are interested in its well-being and welfare.

Officials and players will come and some may depart, but, the Jupiters Sports club must go on forever," is Dunstan’s school of thought.

No deterrent

For a man of Dunstan’s will and determination, dissent is no deterrent. For, Goluhewage Dunstan, the Golden Jubilee of Jupiters is a mission and he is the Messiah.

Dunstan’s deeds makes me think of an old country and Western song. I think it went, ‘Live hard, die young and leave a beautiful memory."

May Jupiters Sports Club’s footballing years be to the end of all times. And, may many more youngsters in Negombo emulate the good and honest work of a mild and prosperous personality like, Goluhewage Dunstan.

When this writer, at the conclusion of the meeting with Dunstan requested him to give a picture of him to be published, he refused the request, stating that the pictures of our club’s Golden Jubilee celebrations are worth a million than my photograph.

He requested ‘The Island’ to cover the event, with its Sinhala publication, Divaina, which also promotes the common man’s game vividly.