The Men Who Lived And Died For Sports We Love

It's been a sorrowful week for Sri Lankan sports having seen two unsung giants bid farewell in a day's span, leaving behind a legacy unparalleled for their service to the sports they loved so much as us.

Y.C. Chang - A Giant of the Oval-Shaped Ball

Mr. Yu Cey Chang passed away on Wednesday the 22nd at the age of 82, and his funeral service was concluded on the same day. His Rugby career started in his days at Carey College and later moved to Trinity College. Although he did not play for the Senior Team, he went on to become a future captain of Sri Lanka Rugby.

He was regarded as one of the greatest prop forwards produced in the country, playing in the Club Rugby circuit in the 60's despite not playing for the school team and went on to lead Sri Lanka at the Inaugural Asiad in 1972 (article written by Lawrence Machado), having led 'All Ceylon' before the name change against notable opponents.

Skipper YC Chang seated in the exact middle (1972 Sri Lanka Squad for Asiad)

Unfortunately in 1974 and just before the Asiad in Colombo, he faced a disciplinary issue in a Club match as captain of CH&FC over a dispute on a referee's decision, very much like how Arjuna Ranatunga took the team off the field in 1999, and his playing career came to an end.

However, his service to Rugby as an administrator was remarkable. In the development of Schools Rugby, he notably introduced the Knockouts Tournament during his tenure as President of Sri Lanka Rugby in 1985 where the inaugural winner was the 'Green Machine' where he was also their first Rugby coach long before, and later served as President of Asia Rugby, where in 1990 we saw Sri Lanka hosting the Asian Rugby tournament in Colombo.

He was also a loyal servant to the Clubs he played for, with many notable achievements by his Clubs as an administrator and continued to support Sri Lank Rugby till his dying breath. He will be missed by the community and those who had the privilege to be under his stewardship.

The inaugural Y.C. Chang Memorial Shield match between Havelocks and CH&FC, both clubs he played for, was held yesterday. Here's a tribute by veteran Sports Journalist Hafiz Marikkar from which his services was mainly sourced from.

Neil Perera - The Man who brought World Cups to Asia

As Mr. Neil Perera's final funeral arrangments were performed today, it's important to acknowledge his service to Sri Lanka Cricket as one of the most prominent Secretaries to have ever taken office.

Having passed away peacefully at the old age of 95, he is best remembered as the Secretary of Sri Lanka Cricket who was also notably the Team Manager of Sri Lanka's First Overseas Test win in 1995 and the mastermind who brought the World Cup to the Sub-Continent, which also paved way for Sri Lanka's first ever World Cup win in 1996.

Mr. Neil Perera with the 1996 World Cup winning team

Despite never playing for the Senior Cricket team of Royal College, his passion for Cricket never stopped and was a benevolent for budding Cricketers in Panadura, a Trustee at St.John's Girls School Panadura and a life member of the Panadura Sports Club. All of this with an Engineer's salary from the CEB.

Prior to the feats in Napier 1995, he was instrumental as Secretary of SLC to bring the World Cup to the Sub-Continent in a time South Africa were headed by Nelson Mandela as President, a front runner in the bid to host the World Cup. It was a joint effort with the Pakistan and India Cricket Boards together, and the rest is history. The Indian Cricket Board President Jagmohan Dalmiya wrote to him when Sri Lanka won the World Cup in 1996, quoting-

“At the meeting we observed how you intervened on time and placed your opinion forcefully, even in the face of strong opposition from the other side. The success of the joint bid owes a lot to your hard work and efficiency. Without your crucial role at the ICC meeting in London on February 2, 1993, the cake [World Cup] would perhaps have not come to the subcontinent.”

Be sure to read this tribute by Senior Sports Journalist Calistus Davy

As a closing remark and common observation to both these personalities, you may not need to be a high achiever during your school days to serve your country at the highest level. These gentlemen are examples of unconditional passion to the sport with their vision and administrative efforts, for which they should be remembered for.

May they Rest in Peace...