Wasantha Kahapolaarachi is a well known name in the cycling arena. Decades ago she was the queen of cycling and created headlines in newspapers. Today, she is a technical officer and administrator in cycling.
The Youth Observer met her recently to discuss Sri Lanka’s cycle sports and its future.
Q: Wasantha, how are you? What are you doing these days?
A: I am fine. But life is becoming boring nowadays. The Covid pandemic has hit our lives very badly. We have had to put a stop to our usual habits, life strategy and are forced to stay inside the home. It is not easy. I also stay inside the home and go out only on very limited occasions.
Q: How about your relationship with cycling sports?
A: It is still going on. But, under the present situation cycle races are not organized. That is the main reason that life is boring.
Q: Very true. As a senior woman cyclist what do you think about the level of cycling in our country and our young cyclists?
A: Hmm, I am not satisfied with their performances.
Q: Why do you say that? Do you mean to say that their skills are not upto the mark?
A: No, that is not what I meant. I have seen many talented cyclists competing in cycle races. There is no doubt that they can perform well. But they fear to come forward and take responsibility. That is the problem.
Q: I do not understand. What do you mean?
A: For example, in a cycle race you do not see any of the cyclists trying to take the lead. Instead all of them ride as a bunch, trying to save their energy to release it in the final stage and do a sprint. Due to this one cannot see tough competition or improvement in timing.
All of them are trying only to win a place and are not interested in improving their skills. One should try to improve one’s skills at every race. If not, there will be no improvement in skills. As a veteran cyclist I cannot bear to see this.
Q: What do you suggest to improve the standard of cycling?
A: Every cyclist must put out his best effort at every race. If anyone thinks that he or she can break away from the bunch and lead, then they must do it. That will help to improve timings. You must read the race every minute and release your energy intelligently. Then you will see that the level of the competition changes quickly. This is the improvement that we must go for.
Q: Don’t you think that cycling as a sport has more facilities today, compared to your era?
A: Cyclists in the government sector have good facilities. Those attached to the Tri-Forces have plenty of facilities such as equipment, food and training. In our era we have not enough facilities compared to today. I agree with your comment.
Q: In that situation some may feel that the veterans are jealous of the new generation. What do you have to say?
A: I do not agree with that. It is totally wrong. Why should veterans be jealous of the young generation? We do not compete with them. Our only wish is to improve the standard of cycling. That is not jealousy. If anyone thinks so, that person is a narrow-minded person.
Q: Wasantha you have won the Tour de Lanka women’s race several times. You recall memories of those races?
A: Those are very fond memories. I won the Tour de Lanka race four times in a row. That is a record. In fact it was conducted by your company, Lake House.
Q: At that time, you were like a film star. Your pictures and that of male cyclists were splashed on page one of newspapers. Do you remember that era?
A: Of course I do. That was the golden era of my sports life. How can I ever forget those memories? Bonifus Perera, A.M. Sumanaweera and I were the best cyclists in the country at that time. Both of them won the Tour de Lanka for males at the time I won the Tour de Lanka for females.
Q: How many years have you been involved in cycling as a rider and an administrator?
A: I have been involved in cycling for over five decades. I took to cycling as a schoolgirl. I had the good support of my cycling coach who later became my husband.
Q: Have your children taken to cycling or do they take part in other sports activities?
A: I have two sons. But my elder son is not involved in cycling. He plays cricket and goes swimming. But my younger son has been in love with cycling. He used to take part in mountain biking races. But as he studied at Isipathana College, Colombo he took to rugby as there was no cycling sport in that school. As a sportswoman, I never forced them to take to cycling or any other sport. My husband and I gave them the freedom to choose the sport they wanted according to their ability. I believe that’s how it should be.
Q: There are too many vehicles on the roads today and we hear of road accidents daily. What do you think of this situation as a veteran cyclist?
A: It is a very sorrowful situation indeed. In developed countries there is a separate lane for cyclists on main roads, but in Sri Lanka cyclists are ignored. In fact it is very dangerous to train on the main roads. To tell you the truth, even I am afraid to ride a bicycle on the main roads today.
Q: What do you suggest to solve this problem and improve safety for cyclists on main roads?
A: The Government should pass regulations to have permanent cycling lanes on most of our main roads. If that is done cyclists can ride in safety and it would encourage people to take to cycling as a mode of transport. I urge the Government to look into this and I think the Sports Minister should get involved in this matter.