This year marks the end of the 50th Anniversary of the inauguration of the Sri Lanka Schools Basketball Association, then known as the Public Schools Basketball Association. It is now making elaborate arrangements to commemorate the historic milestone.

The convener of the Public Schools Basketball Association in 1958 was none other than Sri Lanka’s brilliant educationist, Rev. Fr. Peter Pillai. Being a visionary, he saw the potential of the schools to serve as the cradle of basketball in the country. Hence, in 1958, he played a pivotal role in the formation of the new organisation with a handful of teachers and coaches. What began as a tiny voluntary body is now a mature tree.

The names of coaches and teachers among others who associated with the game at that time and immediately thereafter were: Ram Sunderalingam, Brian Assey (St. Benedict’s College) Ockerzy, Mahadevan (St. Joseph’s College), S. Nadarajah, (Royal), Daniel and E. N. S. Fernando (St. Sebastian’s) Rev. Fr. J. Herbert and Rev. Fr. Weber (St. Joseph’s Trinco and St. Michael’s Batticaloa), Asoka Chandrasoma, S. Kathirgarnathambi (Ananda College), Kenneth (Nalanda/St. Mary’s Dehiwela), Noufel Maharoof, Van Twest (St. Peter’s College), Patrick Emmanel (De Mazenod College), Rev. Fr. Leslie Fernando and Cosmas Perera (St. Aloysius’ Seminary).

In those early days, the Senior and Junior Championships were the only contests that were held on an annual basis. These tournaments were hotly contested affairs and included teams from Jaffna, Trincomalee and Batticaloa. Often, teams from the south traveled to the north and east together in trains for these four day tournaments. It was sheer fun, and served as a link between the North-East and the South.

R. Sundaralingam, Sunil Seneviratne, Shelton Perera, Mrs. Sunimal Kurumbalapitiya and Mrs. Ratnayake were some of the well known secretaries of the association.

I took over as the Secretary in the early 80s and brought in private sector organisational inputs to the body. At that time, I was the coach of St. Joseph’s and Good Shepherd Convent. Neville Herbert of Royal College, helped me as the Treasurer while Rev. Bro. Christopher was at the helm.

The credit for inaugurating the mini basketball and introducing basketball in girls’ schools goes to Ram Sundaralingam who was also a brilliant coach. Mini tournaments, thereafter, became annual features. Sunda, as he was popularly known, now lives in the UK after spending over 45 years in promoting the game in Sri Lanka.

During my tenure of office as the Secretary General, the Constitution was revised to include Sectional Secretaries for Boys’ and Girls’ Schools. The competition was also extended to include the lower ‘B’ Division. In the meantime, the under-15 category was also included. The development of the girls’ basketball among the student population was initiated by the National Federation. Several girls’ schools were invited to inaugurate basketball in their schools.

St. Paul’s Milagiriya, St. Joseph’s Convent, Grandpass were among the many beneficiaries, where the federation coaches trained these girls teams at no cost.

At the first tournament, St. Paul’s beat Good Shepherd, Kotahena. The next year St. Paul’s emerged victorious, defeating the formidable team of Our Lady of Victories Convent, Moratuwa.

Years passed by and to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Schools Basketball Association in 1983, 25 outstation schools were identified and coaching camps were conducted for them mainly in available neighbouring schools. The ethnic violence of that year, brought a halt to the elaborate plans for the Jubilee programme. D. Chulawansa and I conducted a two day programme at the Ratnapura esplanade organized by Lions Governor, Winston Malewana.

In the good old days, the schools teams entered the Senior Nationals of the Federation simply for the sake of participation. From 1977, this situation changed, with the boys’ and girls’ teams reaching the top slots defeating much experienced adult teams of the Defence Services, Mercantile and Western Province teams.

In the 80s, under the initiative of Sunil Jayaweera, the then Director of Sports at the Education Ministry, funds were generously allocated for the training of boys’ and girls’ squads, as well as to develop coaches and referees in residential camps. With the then Education Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe coming to the helm of the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, a major boost was given to expand the activities of schools with 200 new basketball courts in different parts of the country, which in turn boosted the membership of the Schools Association. Through the initiative of Francis Perera, the inaugural coaching camp was conducted in 1989 at St. Joseph’s Convent, Kegalle with the Kotahena Shepherdians as trainers.

It is said that the game which was introduced to then Ceylon in 1917 by the Director of YMCA, Waiter Cammack was played at Ananda College way back in 1927. The Jaffna Schools too were actively involved in the game, thanks to the YMCA Jaffna Branch and the American Missionaries. Besides, these schools produced some of the outstanding coaches for the country. The American Jesuits developed basketball in Trinco and Batticaloa with great zeal.

Some of the names that come to mind as contributors to the development of the game, other than those already mentioned are;

C. T. N. Fernando and Gunasekera of Royal College who served as Presidents. Miss Trixi Jayasooriya of Holy Family Convent, Mrs. Edusuriya of Visakha Vidyalaya too served as Presidents, representing the girls’ schools. Rev. Bros. Ignatius, Philip, Granville, Aloysius, Leonard Bastians and Denzil promoted the game in La Salian Schools including at St. Xavier’s College, Mannar. Rev. Fathers, Victor Silva, Bernard Ramanathan, Felician Perera and Rufus Benedict also played lead roles in the Colombo schools.

Teachers include: Rev. Fr. Raj Fernando (St. Sebastian’s, Moratuwa), Lloyd Almeida (Joseph’s), Mrs. Sunumal Kurumbalopitiya (Good Shepherd), Mrs. Iris de Silva (St. Bridget’s), Mrs. Ratnayake (Visakha), Karunasena (Ananda College), Siriwardene and Saman Amarasinghe (Royal), who contributed immensely as office-bearers of the association.

Coaches, Rohana Sirisuriya, Ajith Kuruppu, H.R. Gamini, S. Pingamage, Ranawana, Elmo Jayawardana, Thrindu Fernando, Duncan Jayawardana, Vickum Siriwardana, Gen. Lawrence Fernando, Dr. Thurairaja, S. Nadarajah, Zawahir, Charles Perera, Francis Perera, Lalith Silva, Victor Jayasundara, Rio Ramlan, Rex Clementine, Tony Ganlath, Bernard Perera, Sameera Vithanage, D. Chulawansa, Raniini Fernando, Randima, Kandegedera, Asanga, Sampath Herath and Shirantha also helped to build school teams with great personal commitment.

Rev. Fr. Sylvester Ranasinghe, the Rector of St. Joseph’s College is now at the helm of Sri Lanka Schools Basketball, as it celebrates the 50th anniversary which his predecessor founded. With Mrs. Helen Pinto as the Secretary and with the ardent support of several office bears, the association conducts tournaments in four age groups (under-13, 15, 17, 19) and in ‘A’ and ‘B’ categories, starting at Zzonal level and culminating at National level.

A cruel blow was dealt to the sports bodies in the schools sector by the Education Ministry when a few years ago they prohibited coaches, several of whom were much dedicated and capable, from holding office. The earlier decision to keep away international schools from the association was revised, during H. E. Chandrika Kumaranatunga’s regime.

The Sri Lanka Schools Basketball Association, known as the cradle of basketball is in an excellent shape under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Sylvester Ranasinghe, ably assisted by the General Secretary, Mrs. Pinto, conducting tournaments, training programmes and regular meetings.

The saga of this great organisation should continue. More regular and systematic training programmes for coaches are an urgent need. For such an organization, 50 years is but a beginning. I wish this mighty association a great way forward.