Athletics: From the schoolyard to the international arena

The talent of a little girl running all over the schoolyard was spotted by a Teacher-in-Charge of Athletics and her encouragement was grabbed with both hands. 

As time went by this little girl excelled in the field of athletics and as a Physical Training. 

A.G. Nandani Athauda, started her career at the Mirigama National School. 

She was first coached by school’s PTI Deepani miss and later came under the wings of Padmini Weerasinghe, Gampaha District coach. 

Nandani first represented her school at district level athletic meets in the 100m and 200m events. 

Later at the age of 17 she took up the 400m event and relays. 

In 1990 this lass from Mirigama National School took part in the Public Schools and National Schools athletic meets in the 100m and 200m sprints and showed her prowess to clinch the first place and bring credit to her alma mater. 

Even though she was aware of her talents as an athlete Nandani gave priority for her studies and her march towards national recognition took a back seat. 

But Nandani was never ready to waste her talent and later represented Sri Lanka at the Asian Masters Athletic championships beginning 2008 winning 5 gold, 4 silver and 4 bronze medals for her country. 

After completing her school career Nandani joined the Sri Lanka Army, successfully completed the Physical Training Instructor's course and in 1992 she obtained a sports diploma conducted by the Ministry of Sports. 

Nandani lent her support for Olympic Silver medallist Susanthika Jayasinghe, Saman Deepika, Rekha Edirisinghe and Kahandawela as a PTI instructress while at the Army. 

Presently employed at the Sri Lanka Ports Authority as a receptionist Nandani first represented Sri Lanka at the 2008 Asian Masters Athletic championship held in Thailand winning a silver in the 400mts. and won two gold medals in the 4x100m and 4x200m relays. 

At the Kuala Lumpur Masters games in 2010 she won a bronze, and two silver medals in the 400m, 400m Hurdles and in 2000m steeplechase events respectively. 

In 2012 Masters Games in Chinese Taipei this athlete from Mirigama went from strength to strength and was a member of the 4x100m and 4x400m relay teams that won gold medals and a bronze medal in the 400m. 

Taking part in the 18th Asian Masters meet in Japan Nandani finished third in the 2000m steeplechase with a time of 11.46.59secs winning a bronze medal. 

Continuing her good work and in the recently concluded 19th Masters held at the Singapore National Stadium she won a gold in the 400m hurdles, a bronze in 4x100m and a silver in 4x400m relay events. 

The wide experience and knowledge she gained in competing at international athletic meets in India, Thailand, China, Brunai, Malaysia, Japan and Singapore will be given without any hesitation to anyone or to any athletic body who seek the services of this veteran athlete.