In a heartfelt tribute to their legendary cheerleader, Percy Abeysekera, the Sri Lankan cricket team donned black armbands during their recent Cricket World Cup match against India. Percy Abeysekera, affectionately known as ‘Uncle Percy,’ died at the age of 87 after a long battle with illness, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of unwavering support for Sri Lankan cricket.

A Cricket Devotee from Yesteryears to Today
Percy Abeysekera’s connection with Sri Lankan cricket stretched back to the 1979 World Cup. However, it was the 1996 World Cup, which Sri Lanka co-hosted, that propelled him to international prominence.. He became renowned for waving a large Sri Lankan flag during matches, offering encouraging pats on players’ backs, and even accompanying them to and from the dressing room.

A Sincere Tribute
The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) made an official statement saying, “Sri Lanka players will wear black armbands during today’s game vs India to pay tribute to the late Percy Abeysekera, the legendary cheerleader.” The statement also recognized Abeysekera’s crucial role in supporting and motivating players, as well as his lasting impact on Sri Lankan cricket history.

Rohit Sharma’s Fond Memories
Indian captain Rohit Sharma shared his personal encounter with Percy Abeysekera during the Asia Cup, where he visited Abeysekera’s home in Colombo. Rohit praised Abeysekera for his sincere passion of cricket and persistent support for the Sri Lankan team.

Rohit also reminisced about his initial trip to Sri Lanka in 2006 for the U-19 World Cup, where he encountered ‘Uncle Percy’ for the first time. It was during a tour with the Indian senior side in 2008 that he truly appreciated the passion and dedication of this remarkable cricket fan.

“I got lucky as well to meet his family, his son, his grandson…their family is very sweet,” Rohit added.”It’s a sad loss to the cricketing fraternity because in my eyes, he was the number one supporter of cricket at that point in time.”

Percy Abeysekera’s memory lives on as a symbol of unflinching devotion to the game, leaving an unforgettable imprint on the hearts of cricket fans all around the world.