Probably something you’ve heard before… but when Terrence Fernando, the present General Manager of Cinnamon Red articulates it, he contends it is something he has learnt through playing cricket in school.
“I played only 6 games for the College 1st XI team even though I was in the team for 2 years, so I know what it means to be persevering and working hard to get where you want to be”
Terrence played cricket at St. Joseph’s College, Colombo 10 from u12 to 1st XI in 1981/82. He captained the 2nd XI team. He booked a place in 1st XI team when he got a century in the mini-battle that year. He was a senior prefect in College and has also participated in athletics and Inter School Drama Competitions.
Presently on the College advisory committee he feels that “giving back to College shouldn’t even be something one should think twice about”. He stresses that they make it a point to instill that playing hard and clean is the order of the day and not ‘wining at all cost.’
Being a part of a team that emerged champions in all age groups and bowling Arjuna Ranatunga out in the U12 final against Ananda in 1975, which the Josephian team won that year, he names as highlights off his cricketing passage. However, representing his alma-mater in the Josephian-Petertie big match according to him is the icing on the cake. “Like any school boy cricketer, my dream was to play the big match. I was in a very competitive team and I played only 6 games in my entire 1st XI career. However, I managed to get a 100 in the mini battle, which cemented my place in the final playing XI”
He says being part of a team has most definitely taught him team work and how to cope with winning and losing. Captaining the 2nd XI in school and at John Keells in the mercantile tournaments he stated helped him to learn people management as well. He stressed most vehemently that acquiring leadership skills and working in a team environment helped him grow as an individual and playing cricket instilled the necessary attributes to take him forward in his work life.
His typical day would start off with a walk/jog at Independence Square, prayer, work and home to relax either watching TV or reading.
Sports has certainly helped in finding employment. He emphasized that John Keells has been a fabulous place to work for. When he was looking for a job right after College, all the top names in the corporate world, John Keells, Ceylon Tobacco and Maharaja were in the market for staff with sports backgrounds.
If you could start over would you change your career path? Would you do anything differently, we asked him. ”Yes, I would opt to work in hotels from the inception. I used to be in tour operations before moving to hotel industry. However, this time around, I would work on being professionally qualified”. His parents never pushed him to study, which he now feels maybe they should have, adding with a smile that he spent simply a maximum of 3 months’ studies before an exam.
Most of the professionals in his era have a sports background which he feels is essentially a part of their success. “Hard work, ability to think on your feet, making quick decisions, being firm but fair with staff and most importantly, anticipating customer requirements” are some personal attributes which Terrence counts as his success secret.
Is there any advice you could offer to the present sportsmen? Big matches are on next month and they most probably have A/L exams and some big career decisions to make….we asked him. “It’s not impossible. It’s about managing time. Giving 100% to what you do. Work life balance. In a team environment there will be times when you maybe in the team today and you may not be in the team tomorrow, so when you are given the opportunity you need to perform and hold on to your place otherwise somebody will replace you. Even in the work environment that’s how it is. That’s the simplest way to look at it. Sports definitely is required and it can be done”.
His son Arvindh also played cricket for College. It’s every father’s dream to see his son follow in his footsteps he says, adding that when Arvind was born his friends gave him a little bat engraved with the words “future Josephian captain”. As predicted, Arvindh captained every age group and was vice captain of the 1st XI in 2013.
ThePapare.com appreciates the time taken by this very responsive Mr Fernando for the conversation where he clearly articulates his progress and growth as a cricketer and a person.
