I Cheer Both Sides And Wave The Flag For Them, Says Sri Lanka’s Most Popular Cheerleader Percy Abeyasekara
Aug 2, 2017 at 1:06 PM
The Story
Sports is all about emotions. And, if only the “emotion” parameter is used to judge the followers of a game, then Sri Lanka’s “Uncle Percy,” Percy Abeyasekara, can be given a legendary status.
An avid supporter of Sri Lanka Cricket Team has been a very identical figure of the Lankan cricketing sphere. On normal match days, he can be found wearing the Sri Lankan shirt, waving the national flag and leading the cheers in the stands. His love for the game has not only earned him the respect of Lankan cricketers and the local fans but also visiting teams.
A corporate man who wears his heart on his sleeve
Many would think that Percy’s job is being the top cheerleader of Sri Lanka team, it’s a completely wrong assumption. The most famous Sri Lankan face in the stands is also a successful corporate figure who works as a PRO at ACL Cables. He has been working with the company for 54 years now.
Just as always, Percy was also present during the 1st Test between Sri Lanka and India at Galle International Stadium and his popularity among opposition camp was fairly visible during the four day’s course.
On Tuesday, Rohit Sharma was one of the first to rush towards Percy to greet him after entering the stadium. Head coach Ravi Shastri also walked up to him and exchanged pleasantries during the presentation ceremony after the culmination of the Galle Test. Indian skipper Virat Kohli was also seen having a long discussion with Percy after the match.
Percy speaks about Indian Team’s love for him
This surely points out that the Indian players admire the 81-year-old cheerleader.
“They like my actions, my knowledge of the game, my cheering style, my singing, my style of talking. Among the touring teams, India is my favourite. Love thy neighbour,” says Percy speaking from the Sinhalese Sports Club Stadium on Tuesday afternoon, dressed smartly in a white shirt and a tie.
“Rohit Sharma always asks me to dance. The last time in Galle, he walked up to me and started asking “please dance Percy uncle. Some other fellows also joined me in dancing, but he stopped them, saying, ‘I want to see Percy’. Rohit now calls me Uncle Percy. Earlier, he used to address me by my name, but when he got to know my age, he started calling me uncle. I told him you should call me grandfather… I told him my grandson was 24 years old.”
Percy also has high regard for Virat.
“He is a lovely guy, some people call him proud. He is not proud, that depends on the crowd and the way you talk to them (players). I cheer both sides and wave the flag for them,” says Percy, who donned the role of “Sri Lanka’s No 1 fan” in 1982 during the England vs Sri Lanka Test at the P Sara Oval.
Percy turned 81 on July 30 and there were plans to cut a cake at the ground with both captains in attendance at Galle. However, the plan didn’t materialise as India wrapped up the Test on July 29.
“I wanted the match to end on July 30… the (Sri Lankan) cricket board wanted to cut a cake and invite the two skippers. Nevertheless, the Indian players wished me from the dressing room when I was cutting the cake at the Galle Cricket Club.”