Tent Secretaries Message
On the 29th of
October 1880, as F.W.McDonnell and J.W.De Silva approached the center of the
Galle Face Grounds, they would never have imagined, the legacy they were about
to initiate. They would never have imagined that 125 years on, a single
cricketing encounter would be at the center of attention in every comer of Sri
Lankan society. They would never have foreseen the magnitude of the revelry and
joyous fellowship that would take place year after year, as thousands gather to
witness 22 players battling it out for supremacy.
More
significantly, they would never have imagined the great tradition and heritage
this encounter has given birth to over 125 years. The gamesmanship, themoulding
of gentlemen, the staunch friendly rivalry......... In essence, the indigenous
spirit that characterizes the
Battle of the
Blues.
And so:
125 years on,
Wfe are here!........Right
here......Right
now!
There
is no other place on earth we would rather be. This is the center of our lives.
This is, in a way, what we've lived for.
At
least for the Tent Committee, this has definitely been the very meaning of our
existence for the last 5 months. Needless to say, blood, sweat and tears, and a
whole load of cash (not necessarily in that order!) have gone in to make every
one of our responsibilities a success.
Yes,
we can now Safely say that we've been through it all. It's been one great
adventure. From CTB's, to Greives Garudas. From much abused cab services to the
more luxurious Alfa Romeos and Skylines, (The latter of which would never
understand what is really meant by a 'zebra crossing') we've zoomed through the
streets of Colombo in search of sponsorships. This search for sponsorships
reached maximum efficiency once we realized that regular luncheon outings,
jewellery items and cellcards, all put together really don't come cheap!!
As
has always been the case, the most anxiety has been directed towards us from the
comer belonging to the Editor and his merry band of men.
Our
editor hails from a rural town in the South, famous for its vulgar
interpretation of baila. As if this was not enough to cause us concern, his
closest associate, resides in the vicinity of some stench-filled canal and
refuses to accept his 'insanity'. Then come the henchmen. The first of whom
would be difficult to spot in the dark, was rather distracted and extremely dis-heartened upon finding out that new
College Chaplain had no eligible spinster for a daughter, and was therefore
deprived of his regular prey....the proverbial "Chaplains' daughter"
Up
until then we were under the strong, yet terrifying impression that a souvenir
completely in the vernacular would result from this alliance and in keeping with
the stature of the above individuals the souvenir might be the 'smallest' ever
in the history of the Battle of the Blues. This, however close we are to the
Editor and co., we could not allow. And thus was introduced a
c..c..cer...certain s.. .s..some.. .body to the team who we
'thought' would be able to salvage the situation. It still remains only a
thought!
Never
the less, all jokes apart, thanks to a complete team effort by the entire Tent
Committee, you now hold in your hands the Thomian souvenir for the 125th Battle
of the Blues, complete with complimentary accessories fully worth the effort put
into them.
the
best quality and substance. And we the Tent Secretaries extend our sincere
thanks and congratulations to the editor and co. for a job well done
The Tent Committee too has rallied round, contributing endlessly with
various ideas and carrying out whatever responsibility with precision. Without
this 'League of Extraordinary Gentlemen' nothing would have been possible.
We would like to thank our Warden and Sub-warden for all the assistance
given. And a word of thanks also to the Stewards, for their tireless efforts .
We also take this opportunity to wish Kaushi and the team all the best, with the
belief that they would pull off a victory this year: After all the 125th won't
come around again.
To
you the spectators. This is the 125th Battle of the Blues. Enjoy the revelry.
Engulf yourself in the rich tradition and heritage. Relive history. Experience
the legacy, the indigenous spirit. For you may never experience it again.
1880-2004: 125 years on: We are here!........Right here......
Right now!
Never before has 'Esto Perpetua' meant so much.
The
Royal-Thomian............The Battle of the Blues........The indomitable spirit
"BE
THOU FOR EVER!!"
Arjuna & Thanura