Source: Daily News
On my visit to the United Arab Emirates to cover the Sri Lanka cricket team’s tour against Pakistan I met former Benedictine cricketer and captain Vishan Fernando who is going great guns as coach in the desert country.
With his cricketing expertise which he picked up at St.Benedict’s College, which school he captained from under 13 level to the first eleven, Vishan made Dubai his home in 2004 where he played cricket and took to coaching.
He represented Hong Kong as Shanghai Banking Corporation from 2004 to 2012 and was a member of the Bank team that toured Sri Lanka and Malaysia in 2013. He also played for the Lanka Lions and Lanka Colts Clubs in Dubai Premier Tournament from 2005 to 2011.
Not satisfied just playing cricket, he was keen to take to coaching and help the promising young cricketers in the desert. In March 2011, he successfully completed the International Cricket Council’s Global Cricket Academy coaching certificate Level 1 Coach Education Course.
The course was conducted by former cricketing greats – Rod Marsh the famous Australian wicket keeper batsman Dayle Hadlee of New Zealand fame and Mudasssar Nazar the former Pakistani opening batsman.
Vishan is not satisfied with the level 1 course and is determined to complete more coaching courses and be one of the best in the coaching business in the desert country. He is the coach of Young Talent Cricket Academy and has helped them win many trophies.
Here’s a brief of his achievements:-
March 2011- obtained ICC Level 1 certificate.
April 2011 – Started coaching with Young Talent Cricket Club and started coaching with the ICC for 6 months.
February 2012 – Appointed coach for Sri Lanka u 13, u 15 at the UAE four-nation tournament. Under 13 were runners up and under 15 champs.u 15 and u 18 were runners up.
July 2012 – Appointed coach for UK tour by YTCA u 13, u 15 and u 18 teams to Newcastle – Durham County tournaments. u 13 were champs. U 15and u 18 were runners up.
October 2012 – Appointed coach for the tour of Bharain by Colts Cricket Club Academy (part of YTCA) for u 13, and u 15 teams. U 15 were the champs and u 13 lost in the semis.
February 2013 – Appointed head coach for Memons Premier League tour to Sri Lanka. Coach of Memons Club in Middle East Region. Lost in semis to South African Memons Club. Teams that contested were – Sri Lanka, India, England, Pakistan, South Africa and Middle East. Middle East was awarded the Spirit of Cricket for being the best team on tour.
March 2013 – Appointed coach for Sri Lanka u 13 and u 15 at the UAE four nation tournament. U 13 were runners up and u 15 were champions. Other countries that played were – India, Pakistan and UAE.
April 2013 – Appointed coach cum player for HSBC Dubai for HSBC masters tournament touring Malaysia. HSBC Dubai ws Plate Champs beating HSBC Malaysia.
September 2013 – Appointed Head Coach for YTCA and Colt Cricket Academy which has 300 students in 4 centres in Dubai and Sharjah. He has 8 other assistant coaches working under him.
