By Dhammika Ratnaweera
Third time President of the Boxing Association of Sri Lanka Dian Gomas, who is no stranger to the boxing arena said that getting the right people for the right job is the key to success, be it in business or in sports administration – it is the right team that produces the best results. Gomes was elected uncontested for the third time for the post last week.
Gomes, a veteran sports administrator, and a motivator pointed out that sport has been vilified and maligned by some and adored and revered by others. He said that the sport of boxing has risen like the legendary phoenix in Sri Lanka over the past few years.
Professional administration, grass-root coaching and international exposure have been the corner stones of this resurgence in boxing, and at the helm of this concerted effort has been a man now synonymous with inspirational leadership in the name of Dian Gomes. “To get a job done we need people who are doers, and not just talkers. At the ABA, we roll up our sleeves and get the show moving. We are focused on what we want to achieve.” Gomes explained.
The boxing Chief also said “To get a job done we need people who are doers, and not just talkers. At the ABA, we roll up our sleeves and get the show moving. We are focused on what we want to achieve.” And doers they are.
Gomes’ executive team speaks volumes for his strategy of working with the best. Former Chief of Defence Staff, reputed Stubbs Shield Best boxer and Gomes’ team mate at Royal College Gen. Jagath Jayasuriya handles the selection. The team also includes Beijing Olympic R&J & Stubbs Shield Best Boxer Udeni Kiridena, Asian Games Bronze medallist H.S. Caldera with International R&J and President of School Boxing Association Susantha Weerasena.
The South Asian Games Silver medallist and Police Senior Superintendent Saman Gunaratne of STF and former Olympic Coach Wasantha Kumara will joins hand with Gomes’ administration for the first time to functions as the vice presidents. Former National Champion and ITO Lt. Col. (Rtd) Hemantha Weerasinghe will serve as the Secretary of the Association while former Royal Stubbs shield champion and Banker Aubrey Peries will function as the Treasurer and former Royal Captain Abdulla Ibanu as the Assistant Secretary.
The ABA has done well and now stands poised to take the game to greater heights. The ABA Team also successfully courted the support of the corporate sector. In light of a lack of funding for the governing body, to function effectively, the private sector stepping in to help has boosted the finances. A&E has been the principle sponsor for boxing in Sri Lanka for many years. However Dian believes this time the young Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa who was a former National rugby captain will give much support to this sport . We knew three sports Athletics, Boxing and Weight lifting already got more medals from International level and definitely more Government support expected for these three sports to go forward added Dian Gomes. .Gomes also said they already discussed with Cuban Ambassador to get the services from Cuban Boxing coach and it is going to be more successful for the National boxers
Sri Lankan pugilists had to display grit and determination when facing international opponents, and success was always a bonus added Dian Gomes . The XXI Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia saw the participation of six boxers. This event was one of the great achievements for boxing in Sri Lanka. Ishan Bandara and Thiwanka Ranasinghe won two bronze medals for Sri Lanka after 68 years while Anusha Kodituwakku won a bronze medal and recorded the first Commonwealth women medal for Sri Lanka. In the same year Keshani Hansika secured a Bronze medal at the 2nd Indonesian Police Commissioner Cup in Jakarta, Indonesia. The Taipei City Cup held in August 2017 saw a contingent of five boxers taking part. Dinidu Saparamadu won a gold medal whilst Thiwanka Ranasinghe secured a bronze medal. At the Eindhoven Box cup held in the Netherlands a contingent of 13 boxers won two gold medals, four silver medals and one bronze medal. The golds were won by Dinidu Saparamadu and Thiwanka Ranasinghe, and at the Golden Glove International tournament the same boxers won two silver medals while N.M.K. Amarawansha won a bronze medal. All these achievements big boost for the boxers to go forward with more determination added Boxing Chief .
“Rome was not built in a day. There are bound to be disappointments, but we will bounce back.” Gomes replied when asked about his plans for this year asserting that they hope to do well in the several competitions coming up in the next year.
“We have the Asian men and women boxing championships followed by the final qualification for the Olympic Games in 2021. Much is expected from Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2020 and South Asian Games in 2022 which has been announced to be held in Lahore, Pakistan. “Every day we are getting closer to our target of winning an Olympic medal and that is the most important thing,” Gomes opined. With plans in place, the adrenaline pumping and the motivation running high perhaps what the great Muhammad Ali put it best: “The fight is won or lost far away from the ring – behind the lines, in the gym and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights.”said Boxing Chief .
Caption
Boxing Association of Sri Lanka (BASL ) President Dian Gomes(centre) speaking to the media after elcted the top post for the third time Also in the picture Vice President Wasantha Kumara, BASL President (left ) and BASL Secretary Lt. Col. (Retd) Hemantha Weerasinghe.
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