Remembering the pioneers of Sri Lanka Athletics

by K.L.F. Wijedasa

The Sri Lanka Athletics is celebrating its centenary this year. It is pertinent to remember the people who pioneered the track and field governing body.

The Amateur Athletic Association was born as a national sports organization in 1896 when Col. G. R. Savage and Wilton Bartlet and other enthusiasts in the European community and the predominant European clubs joined together to form the A. A. A. and it was affiliated to the British Amateur Association. Initially, the Ceylon A. A. A. catered primarily to the Europeans. The ‘natives’ were not privileged to participate in these meets. It held regular meets until 1912. The First World War of 1914-1918 brought all sports activities to a grinding halt.

After the World War the standard of athletics among the schoolboys was improving and there emerged several promising young athletes. This prompted one of Sri Lanka’s foremost sports writers, S.P. Foenander to convene a meeting of all sportsmen interested in schools and club athletics to form an Association with the view of staging a National Athletic Championships. The inaugural National Athletics Championship was held on September 24, 1921 at the CH and FC grounds in the Colombo Racecourse. This meet incidentally led to the revival of the then defunct Ceylon A. A. A. and since the year 1921 the annual Championship was held regularly to date.

Birth of the AAA of Sri Lanka

In 1922 Col. T.Y. Wright was selected as the first President of the Ceylon Amateur Athletic Association. Robert W. Cammack the Physical Director the YMCA was elected Honorary Secretary, served the association for three consecutive year. Cammack comes from a family well known for their community services. Cammack was the son of the founding fathers of Whittier College. Cammack attended Whittier College and played as quarterback in the College team, was the captain of the Track team and the president of the YMCA. His involvement with the YMCA took him to Sri Lanka for 10 years, where he introduced physical education and volleyball in the schools and gymnastics and basketball. The Western Province Association initiated a competition for the Basketball clubs in the Colombo city and the Cammack Trophy was installed.

S.P. Foenander was selected as the Hon. Assistant Secretary. The Association became affiliated to the International Amateur Athletic Federation on the 18th of January 1922. Therefore the Amateur Athletic Association of Sri Lanka considers that its inauguration as duly recognized controlling body of sports was only on the 18th of January 1922.

Presidents who served the governing body for long periods during the first half of the centenary were V.R. Shockman 1931-32, 1935-38, B. Ingran 1939-43 and Carl. T. Van Geyzel 1952-1966.

W. D. H. Perera who rendered a dedicated service to sports in Sri Lanka served as the Hon. Secretary of the Sri Lanka AAA for 22 consecutive years from 1926. P. Julian Grero took over from him and held the post of Hon. Secretary for seven years. P. Don. Victor became the Hon. Secretary in 1986 and served until 1991.

RESULTS of the 1st National Athletic Championships

22nd September 1922

100 Yards:

1. G. H. Karunathilake 10.6 secs, 2. E. H. F. Layard, 3. W. W. M. Fernando.

220 Yards:

1. G. H. Karunathilakee 25.0 secs, 2. E.H.F. Layard, 3. E. Skinner.

440 Yards:

1. A. H. R. Joseph 56.2 secs, 2. C. F. C. Jayathilake, 3. G. Senaratne.

Half Mile:

1. G. J. Holbeche, 2. A. Mayanga, 3. H. M. J. Cassim.

1 Mile: 1. A.W. Pinder, 2. K. D. W. Soysa, 3. H. M. J. Cassim.

120 yds Hurdles:

1. T. H. Mendis, 2. Anthony Abeysinghe, 3.C. W. F. Perera.

High Jump:

1. C. R. Joseph 1.57m, 2. J. A. Kadramathamby, 3.Otto Honegger.

Pole Vault:

1. R. C. Jayathilake 2.75m, 2. J. A. Kadramathamby, 3. C.R. Joseph.

Long Jump:

1.G. L. Jayawardene 6.21m, 2. Otto Honegger, 3. L Nagel.

Shot Putt:

1. Sait Ali Jonbhoy13.14m, 2. C. R. Joseph, 3. V. B. Paulickpulle.

Javelin Throw:

1.B. Weerasinghe 35.06m, 2. J. H. Mendis, 3. O. S. Wickwar.

Cricket Ball Throw:

1. A. M. Caldera 90.76m, 2. J. B. C. Rodrigo, 3. S. Edwin Silva.

Inter College Relay:

1. S. Thomas’ College, 2. St. Joseph’s College.