Angelo Santiago - A beacon light in SL table tennis

Now living in Canada, Angelo Santiago made his triumphant debut in table tennis in 1968 when he steered his alma mater St. Benedict’s College, Colombo to annex the Junior Schools Championship and the Seniors title the following year.

In 1969 Angelo proved his supremacy amongst the schoolboys in the country in outclassing Dammika Gunaratne of Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda to win the coveted title. In recognition, he was selected to lead the schools team in the Quadrangular tournament conducted by the TT Association.

The achievements since then stand out as a testimony to Angelo’s brilliance as a TT player of the highest calibre. In reminiscing Angelo, recalls with gratitude the inspiration and financial impetus provided by his eldest brother Francis who was also his coach and mentor and the encouragement of cousin Rajan Joseph, a TT player of repute.

The champion of yesteryear started playing TT under the guidance of former national champion N.H. Perera at the Mayfield Lane Community Centre.

Angelo entered the record books in 1969 when as a student, he was selected to represent the country at the All India Nationals where he beat India’s No. 2 junior. Angelo’s proven track record spread over two decades stands out as a beacon light in the saga of table tennis in Sri Lanka. In the inter-club tournaments, he played a pivotal role in the match winning performances of YMCA, Bonjean Club, Community Centre, Playgounds and Friendship TT Club.

Angelo nostalgically recalls his victory over Dr. G.N. Lucas in a five- set thriller at the Bandarawela Open Championships and also annexing the Triple Crown at the YETTC tournament winning the men's singles, men's doubles partnering Deepak Naraindas and Nandini Udeshi in the mixed doubles.

In the local circuit, Angelo captained the strong Mercantile squad comprising former national champion Annesley Gomez and other national players to annex the inaugural Triangular trophy.

In the nationals, he won the Men’s crown in 1971,’74,’78,’85 and ’86 and equalled the feat of another evergreen star Jothipala Samaraweera, the only player to wield the pen holder grip with finesse. In 1974 Santiago avenged his defeat at the hands of Samaraweera in three finals the preceding year by winning the triple. He also recalls with pride winning the Open Men’s Doubles partnering Annesley Gomez and brothers Ranjan and Richard Santiago.

It was a milestone achievement for Angelo to have represented his country at 24 foreign tournaments since 1969 where his performances earned encomiums in the local and foreign press. It was a remarkable feat for Angelo when he took a set off world champion Li-ChungKuang in the Asian Championships in China in 1971 whilst still a teenager and a set off the Japanese world champion Ohono in the 1979 Asian Championships held in Malaysia.

In 1972 Angelo was selected to follow a four-month Diploma course in China. This helped him immensely to sharpen his skills and instil greater confidence in his quest for titles.

Angelo was the recipient of the Friendship award at the Asian Championships in 1971, ’79 and ’84 in recognition of his emerging as the best player from Sri Lanka. Incidentally he captained the Lankan team in 1979 in Malaysia and in Pakistan in 1984.

Angelo was selected as a member of the national pool for a two-week coaching camp under six-time Indian national champion Gautam Divan. Angelo also earned plaudits from Indian veteran and ITTF official C. T. Dorairaj for his finesse and potential.

In addition to embellishing his sterling performances at the Asian Championships, young Angelo acquitted himself creditably at the Afro Asian Latin American Championships staged in China, Nigeria and South Korea. He donned the national colours in the Pentangular with India and Pakistan.

In the country of his domicile, Angelo Santiago’s dream is to nurture his granddaughter Abigail Ishara Mathew to blossom into a player who will attain the Canadian national TT standards. The 60-year-old grandpa is confident that his young protégé will someday earn encomiums in the game he adorned with dedication and distinction spanning two decades.