Dream come true as Thurstan College restart boxing
View(s):Wednesday, January 16, will go down in the annals of Thurstan College, Colombo as a red letter day because boxing was restarted in the school after a long lapse of 20 years.
The first day of boxing training at Thurstan College, Colombo which restarted boxing after 20 years
It was a dream come true for past boxers of Thurstan College who had shed blood and tears to bring glory to their alma mater in the ring to see a new generation taking up the challenge.
A force to be reckoned with during the 70s and 80s, Thurstan College produced many outstanding boxers who shone at national and international level before the sport died a natural death in the late 90s after the departure of their long-time mentor Donald Munasinghe.
Despite several efforts to revive the sport in the past, it finally became a reality this year after months of planning thanks to the enthusiasm of old boys and school authorities.
One of Munasinghe’s finest products Major (retd) Mahinda Hettiarachchi was instrumental in co-ordinating the revival of boxing at Thurstan College after organizing a get together of past boxers who represented the school on the initiative of a former Sri Lanka boxer Dushantha Kiriella last year.
“We were fortunate to find a teacher to be in-charge of boxing. After that I had to find a suitable person to coach. Allaam Ousman, a former Royal boxing coach, kindly consented to my personal request to take over as head coach. We hope to conduct a boxing camp and also have an inter-House meet to pick a pool of talented players to take part in school tournaments,” said Hettiarachchi, who won the Stubbs Shield inter-school championship for an unprecedented seven years.
“There has been a tremendous response from children when we announced that boxing practices were commence on January 16. We received many applications from students interested in boxing. Most of them are already into other sports like rugby, cricket, handball and swimming.
Playing boxing will add more muscle to their portfolio,” said Ms. Dilani Samarasekera, Thurstan College’s Teacher-in-charge of boxing after the first day of practice which began with a religious ceremony.
“Today is a historic day for Thurstan College boxing. I am happy to see students learning boxing like we began more than 20 years ago. Today we have a dozen attending practices. This is a new beginning. Once word gets around, I am sure there will be more students coming for training,” said Kiran Kudaligama, one of several past boxers who were present to give encouragement to the new generation of boxers.
Boxing was officially launched at Thurstan College on Thursday 10th January when a distinguished old boy of the school Major General Rukmal Dias, Commander of the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force, presented boxing equipment to be used by aspiring boxers in the school while a former boxing captain Upul Shantha donated a cheque worth Rs.100,000 to the Principal Lakshman Dias. Several past boxers who also formed the Thurstan Boxing Club were also present.
“Thurstan is about to restart boxing after a lapse of 20 years and we have many dedicated old boys to support this venture. We are very eager to take part once again in major school meets in the future beginning with the L.V. Jayaweera tournament. We are very positive, the school authorities will give us their fullest support to help us achieve glorious heights in boxing,” said Maj. Gen. Dias who heads the Thurstan Boxing Club which also comprises Nilan Perera, Prasad Gunasekera and Priyantha de Silva.
“I am very happy that Thurstan is going to start boxing once again. Boxing is a good form of physical recreation for boys. It is a good opportunity for students to excel in this sport. We have a very enthusiastic and energetic bunch of schoolchildren. Boxing will help them showcase their talents in a disciplined manner. I am sure we can reach great heights in the sport again,” Thurstan’s Principal said.
“Boxing will give students an outlet to showcase their talents and energy through sport,” added Ms. Samarasekera thanking the old boys for their support and enthusiasm.