STC Athletics Golden Era Gala Event March 2024
STC Athletics has been the unsung hero of the entire STC Sports Program, though it had won more national titles than any of the other STC sports programs combined. This program coached by the late Mr. Brookie D’Silva and then by duo of the late Mr. ECK Abeysekera and Mr. NM Perera has produced some of STC’s best athletes, and together have won many National Titles, Relay Carnivals, Zone Meets, and inter-collegiate Dual Meets in the 60’s. In particular, this team, comprising of various athletes in both track and field events, won the National Title 5 times in a row from 1967 thru 1971, an unprecedented record feat, which to this day has not been equaled or beaten.
This was achieved foremost due to the dedicated coaching staff, who had laid the foundation in the early 60’s to train the future champion athletes for such an amazing run of victories. Those athletes, through their dedication and hard work, were able to follow the training schedules put out by the coaches. Some eve went further, by coming daily to the school grounds. Every day, after school, one would see athletes training in the grueling heat, pushing themselves to loftier heights, to become the best in STC and the entire island. The grounds, during our days, were not conducive for safe training. It was hard as a roc. Nevertheless, these athletes put their heads down and trained. There were many injuries, which hampered the progress of many an athlete. But, perseverance paid off. We wanted to be the best and beat our main rivals, St. Josephs, Royal and later Issipathana. This we did in glorious fashion, throughout the 60’s, especially between 1967 and 1971.
However, this achievement was hardly noticed. This is not widely known within the STC community. It is this phenomenal success that we want to glorify, recognize the coaches and athletes, who participated, educate and inform the wider audience including the STC community, part, present, and future. As we are getting on in age, we need to hold this event as a matter of urgency, not only to reminisce and give credit to all team members and coaches, but also to remind the current generation of Thomians, whether in sports or not, that STC produced an elite group of athletes during this era, that went on to achieve such lofty heights. This needs to be celebrated and brought to the attention of all Thomians, and carved into the annals of STC for eternity.
The idea of holding this event was born before the pandemic, which placed a temporary hold on it until now. We feel the time is right for us to organize an STC Athletics Golden Era Gala Event in 2024 around the Roy Tho cricket match , so that many who have plans to come for the Roy Tho event, can also add this Gala Event as part of their itinerary.
We would like as many athletes from pre 1967, 1967 thru 1971, and post 1971 to attend this event. The celebration is about STC Athletics past and present. We would also extend our invitation to other sporting figures from other STC sports programs, past and present to attend this event. We would also like this to be a family affair, where the spouses and children can witness the glory days of their husbands, brothers, fathers, and grand fathers.
We have put together a core group of STC Sports Alumni, to organize and get this program under way. I am reaching out to all for any assistance they can give us towards the successful outcome of this event. Any assistance all of you can give us in securing sponsorships to allay some of the costs, will be greatly appreciated. Any surplus of funds will be donated back to the STC athletics program.
We will be printing a magazine for the event, for the attendees to take with them. The magazine will have the highlights of the STC Athletics Program and the Sponsors that supported the event. The sponsors can take out a full page to have their sponsorships identified in the magazine. In addition, they could have a banner raised in the venue, to show their premium sponsorships in full view of the audience.
We have narrowed down the dates for the event to be held in Colombo. They are the Saturday March 2nd or Sunday March 3rd of 2024.
I hope we can rely on your support and continued advice on this matter.
Thank you.
Cheers!
Esto Perpetua!
Sincerely,
Yuvaraj Sivalingam – Captain of STC Athletics (1970)
