by Rex Clementine
Those of us who love the game of cricket make a decent living from the sport and we need to be grateful for that. Players, match officials, ground staff and the media are able to keep the home fire burning thanks to the game we love. But here’s this man Percy Abeysekara, who had dedicated his life for the game of cricket expecting nothing in return. At every game be it in Colombo, Kandy, Galle, Suriyawewa or Dambulla Percy was ever present when a cricket game was on.
Some of these venues like Suriyawewa aren’t spectator friendly for the lack of public transport. You never saw Percy driving a vehicle. But he made sure that he was there at every nook and corner. Often, spectators, players, and officials are quick to give Percy a lift.
One day after a game at Suriyawewa several jeeps were heading towards Hambantota as Percy was walking back to his stay. One jeep stopped and Percy was told to get into the jeep in front. So who was in the jeep, we asked Percy. ‘It was Suriyawewa Ceaser.’ A notorious gangster in the south. Even the most hardcore criminal’s heart melted when he saw Percy.
Once former Board Chairman Gamini Dissanayake, a powerful government minister gave Percy a lift to Colombo after a game at Asgiriya. Mr. Dissanayake asked, ‘Percy you are so knowledgeable about the game. Why don’t you join the cricket board? For this Percy replied, ‘Sir, I’d rather be on the footboard than the cricket board.’
It was a rare occurrence to not see Percy during the recent Galle Test. He had fallen ill and had been advised to rest in bed. Amidst this some social media champions had spread rumours shocking the entire cricketing world.
Percy’s association of cricket dates back to over 50 years before the country gained Test status. While he got on well with most cricketers, Percy did get under the skin of a few of them.
What made Percy a class act from the others is that he knew the history of the game and his command of the English language was superb. He was equally good at his Sinhalese.
Before Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike took over the Christian schools in 1962, Catholic schools were run by foreign missionaries. There were Oblate fathers looking after North and Western Provinces while Jesuit Priests were put in charge of East and South. The Central Province belonged to the Benedictine Monks. Percy had his education at St. Aloysius College, Galle which was run by Italian Jesuits. His eloquence of English was thanks to his education.
Percy’s wit is quick and spontaneous. For the Zimbabwe Test in 2002 at Asgiriya, Russel Arnold had been dropped after a bad patch. He was doing 12th man duty. Percy was after a few drinks and Arnold wound him up saying, ‘Okay Percy, now enough. You are boring.’ Quick came the reply, ‘I’m boring but you are not scoring.’
During the 1984 Lord’s Test when Sri Lanka gave England an unexpected hiding, Percy was doing the rounds with the lion flag. An English lady asked Percy, ‘Is that a lamb in your flag.’ For which Percy replied, ‘Lamb is in your team.’ (Referring to Allan Lamb). ‘Lion is in my flag.’
Kudos to ACL Cables as well for employing Percy beyond 80 years. A company generally gives five to ten years extension even for their most loyal employees, but ACL Cables have supported him well beyond his retirement. There’s leave in abundance for cricket’s most famous face when there are games at both home and overseas. Such employers are rare and need to be appreciated.
Beyond his wit and funny side, Percy also has a human side. He deeply cares for former players who had fallen on hard times not able to make ends meet.
Former captain Roshan Mahanama irrespective of a person’s stature is quick to give the cold shoulder if he didn’t like a person’s values. This week he was making urgent phone calls to find out where Percy lives and to make a visit to his residence. That certainly is a high enough accolade for Percy as Roshan is someone who maintains such high standards.
The impact Percy has had over cricket stars is massive. Sir Richard Hadlee was Chairman of Selectors in 2002 when the Kiwis were playing a warm-up game at NCC. He had just turned up at the venue and having spotted Percy at the boundary rope made a beeline to greet his friend.
Another Kiwi Martin Crowe gave away his Man of the Match award in the 1984 tour. Ravi Shastri autographed one of his t-shirts with these words, ‘Dear Percy, don’t ever lose your voice. Sri Lanka needs it more than you.’
We are not sure whether we will see the same energetic Percy again. When you ask Percy his age, he proudly declares, ‘I am two days younger to Sir Garry Sobers. But certainly, fitter than Sir Garry Sobers.’
Percy named his only son Garfield, after his favourite cricketer. One Garfield wasn’t enough for the family. So, he named his grandson Garfield too. The other grandson was of course Sachin. Percy’s energy will be missed. He kept the crowd going. As he often declares, ‘Percy has no mercy, for cricketers and spectators who are lazy.’