FRANCIS ALPHONSUS JAYARAJAH (Courtesy of Mauro Valeri) Francis Alphonsus Jayarajah, an all round athlete from St. Patrick’s College, Jaffna, simply followed his passion for life and sports. He left Sri Lanka in 1968 and became a pioneer in his own right: he became the first Sri Lankan, if not, the first man ever from the Indian subcontinent, to captain a European countries’ national cricket team. In 1987, Jayarajah was selected to Captain the Italian national team. The Vavuniya, Sri Lanka, born Francis Alphonsus Jayarajah was indeed chosen by Italy to lead it’s national team long before England chose the Chennai, India, born Nasser Hussain to lead the MCC in 1999. Jayarajah played for the Italian National team for more than two decades. During his tenure, the Italian National Team, which was inaugurated in1987, participated in all of the ICC European events. At present, the team is performing at a very high level in all major World Cricket League events. In 2011, Italy hosted the Division 4 Championship and finished second, and consequently, earned its place in Division 3. They finished fourth in the Singapore tournaments. The finest hour, however, in international cricket came for Italy and Jayarajah in the 2012 World Twenty20 Qualifier in the UAE. A stellar performance by the Italian team at this tournament included wins over Oman (9 wickets) and the United States of America (8 runs). Jayarajah was born on 18 June 1947 to Ligory Francis (Master) of Mirusuvil and Mary Regina Vanderkoen of Vavuniya. He joined St. Patrick’s College in January 1959 in 7th grade. In 1968, after GCE A levels, Jayarajah left for Rome on a scholarship to pursue higher studies. After completing his higher education in finance he worked for the Food and Agricultural organization (FAO) of the United Nations in Rome for more than 25 years. At present, Jayarajah is a counselor and coach to the Italian Cricket Federation. In 1980, he founded the Capanella Club in Rome. Today, the Capanella Club is an Internationally recognized cricket club for boys and girls who aspire to become major league cricket players. Jayarajah and his wife Franca Maria Beranger live in Rome with their two children Suriakumari and Mathivathanan. Jayarajah meets the Italian Ambassador in UK after 1987 Cricket match in London (Picture from the front cover of Capannella club annual report) F. A. Jayarajah, Captain of the Italian National Team 1991, is seated in the center (Picture from the Capannella club Annual report) Capanelle Club – 1988 Italian cricket champions (Picture from the Capannella club Annual report) Jayarajah, 3rd from left, was a Senior Athletic Captain at SPC (Picture from Intersector) St. Patrick’s College Basket Ball Team – 1968 Jayarajah is seated 1st from left (Picture from Intersector) (Courtesy of Capannella club Annual report) Cricket Match at Cortina in Northern Italy, 1991 (Picture from the Capannella club Annual report) .