Rugby Player of the Year Shenal doing fine balancing act
View(s):ANC Education is proud of the achievements of Sri Lanka rugby player Shenal Dias, who was also adjudged the ‘Rugby Player of the Year 2012’ by the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union.
Shenal (21) joins ANC’s list of Sri Lanka sportspersons viz. Pavithra Fernando, the national rugby skipper of 2010, sprinter Shehan Ambeypitiya and national swimmers Kushan de Silva and Reshika Udugampola.
Shenal, a past pupil of St. Peter’s College Colombo is also a double national. He represented St. Peter’s and Sri Lanka junior teams at rugby as well as basketball and still continues to keenly engage in both sports in addition to his studies. Shenal considers that dedication and hard work helps him to strike a fine balance between studies and sports.
“It is not easy to balance between my rugby schedule and studies, but somehow with a lot of commitment and hard work I continue to be on top. I have made a lot of sacrifices, to be where I am right now,” he said.
The Havelocks Sports Club and Sri Lanka lock forward is currently studying engineering at ANC Education but he often finds time for his other duties despite a hectic day-to-day schedule as a sportsman. Shenal hopes that his commitment and dedication in both sports and studies will continue the same way, so that he could achieve more accolades from both disciplines.
During the rugby season Shenal often has to set out for training during the early hours of the day, a strenuous routine for someone pursuing their higher studies. Soon after training he has to attend lectures, despite feeling exhausted. Shenal, who is part of the US transfer programme offered at ANC Education and continues to maintain a GPA of above 3.0 carrying out an engineering degree with University of Missouri Science and Technology, says not many understand the hard work he puts into ensure success in both studies and sports.
“There are times I have to skip lectures to go for rugby practices, but as soon as I get home I will have to call someone to catch up on the notes that I missed out. I study hard for the time I have lost at lectures, equivalent to the efforts I put on the rugby field” he added.
“Sometimes it can get very hard, but I continue to stay very committed to both sports and studies with passion. I try not to lose focus, and I always stick to my goals. I would like to continue my studies in an overseas university and at the moment I am seeking a sports scholarship from the US,” Shenal, whose future ambition is to have a successful career in engineering world while also continuing to play rugby at a national level, said. NA
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