Sri Lanka Players Pay Tribute to Legendary Fan Percy Abeysekera with Black Armbands
Sri Lanka’s cricket team wears black armbands in memory of the late Percy Abeysekera during their ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023 match against India. A heartfelt tribute to a legendary cricket fan.
Sri Lanka Players Don Black Armbands in Honor of Legendary Fan Percy Abeysekera
In the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023, Sri Lankan players made a heartfelt gesture by wearing black armbands during Thursday’s match against host nation India. This poignant act was a tribute to the late Percy Abeysekera, an iconic cheerleader and fervent supporter of Sri Lankan cricket.
Percy Abeysekera, who recently passed away in Colombo, left an indelible mark on Sri Lankan cricket. His unwavering support and motivation for the players extended beyond the boundary, making him an integral part of the cricketing community.
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Sri Lanka Cricket expressed their sentiments in a statement, saying, “His towering legacy spans across Sri Lanka’s pre- and post-Test eras, and his name will remain etched forever among cricket lovers.”
On the eve of the match, Indian captain Rohit Sharma paid his respects to Abeysekera and shared his personal connection with the legendary Sri Lankan cricket fan.
In his pre-match press conference, Rohit Sharma reminisced, “I was lucky to meet him in Sri Lanka during the Asia Cup, and he was an extraordinary cricket fan. He was a genuine and passionate supporter of not just the Sri Lankan team but of the players in general. I remember seeing him for the first time in 2008 when I traveled with the Indian team. He was incredibly passionate, and I even had the privilege of meeting his family, including his son and grandson.”
Rohit Sharma continued, “His passing is a significant loss to the cricketing community. To me, he was the first and foremost cricket enthusiast. While there have been countless cricket fans over the years, he was the pioneer. It’s indeed a somber moment for all of us.”