Being born in sunny Sri Lanka in the hustle and bustle of the city of Galle, the most attractive rendezvous for me was the expanse of green just across a playing field before the vast Indian ocean. Our house stood a mere one kilometre from this lush, inviting field, where people flocked to play games, picnic and lap up the evening sun. I had a habit of trudging behind my dad as he went on his daily walk to exercise before this vast area that still stands proudly as the Galle Face Green, running, tumbling, wading in the sea, collecting shells and running behind mollusques and crabs. I revelled in the bounty of a natural environment, healthy and sound, fun and free.
This was the first of many "second homes" I discovered as I grew up in Sri Lanka. Today this half-kilometre long area houses the Taj Hotel that stands on the spot where the Army Ground once drew big crowds to football and rugby matches. As a little spectator, I enjoyed the excitement of being part of those thrills and spills. Memories built there have lasted a lifetime. As a student this interest took another turn and it was natural to end up at the closest park near school, at Campbell Place with the guys to play or practice with the school team, indulging in all kind of sports, rugby, hockey, football, cricket, it just did not matter what, so long as it was a sport and the game mattered most.
As I became a young adult, life became more serious and so did my sports. I began to re-route to Maitland Crescent where the Gymkhana Club, CCC (Colombo Cricket Club) and CH&FC (Colombo Hockey and Football Club) were all housed under one roof There I played at club level during the period of 1977 to 1992 until I left to live in Abu Dhabi. apassela@thenational.ae
