Bringing about racial amity through sports, from Daily News, 22 January 2011
To bring about racial unity and understanding through sports among children of the three main communities is the aim of setting up the new sports school in Nattandiya.Eighty children from the Sinhalese, Tamil and Muslim communities will be admitted to the school who will take part in swimming, football, cricket, basketball, badminton, volleyball and table tennis. Coaches from Sri Lanka and abroad will train the children in these sports. They will also be taught arts and culture. By interacting with each other the children will also learn to live in harmony with other communities. A new sports stadium too will be built adjacent to the school which is being set up on a concept by Dr Nico Schulenkorf of Auckland University of New Zealand on developing capabilities, fostering friendship and understanding between communities through sports.
Manoj guides without using force, item by Angu Rajendran, Daily News, 22 Jan 2011
Man is a pack animal. Man lives and survives in groups. Man does not survive in isolation. Killer Whales are also animals like that. Moreover, they are found in every ocean on the earth. They are adaptable to all situations and climates. They have a strength and grace unique to them even as they hunt down their prey fearlessly. They work as a team even though swimming is an isolated activity. That is how I want my swimmers to be,” says Manoj Abeysinghe, founder of the ‘Killer Whale’ Swimming Club. Like the killer whale swimmers are the most intelligent sportsmen. They learn to manage a clock in the pool, they learn to manage time in the lives.
Within a year, he has worked wonders with his own sons and with at least a hundred swimmers in Sri Lanka. His students worship him as they leave. “He is so committed to us and he is always behind us no matter what happens,” says Reshika Udugampola- National Womens Champion. “He guides us but never forces us,” says Sampath from the Air Force. “He is truly one of a kind. His training methods are enjoyable and his commitment is one hundred percent,” says the captain of the Club – Air Force Captain Priyadarshana Sampatha – Open Age Group Champion.
“All my hundred odd swimmers may not get gold medals at International meets but that does not mean that we don’t try. If we try and don’t get it, there is no shame in that. If we don’t try then there is shame in that,” says Manoj Abeysinghe who is buiding a pool in partnership with CR and FC and will take on at least a thousand swimmers before next year from beginner to International level.
Sri Lanka’s swimmers are surely going to make a mark in the world very soon with the dedication, commitment and ever evolving techniques of Manoj Abeysinge.
Within a year, he has worked wonders with his own sons and with at least a hundred swimmers in Sri Lanka. His students worship him as they leave. “He is so committed to us and he is always behind us no matter what happens,” says Reshika Udugampola- National Womens Champion. “He guides us but never forces us,” says Sampath from the Air Force. “He is truly one of a kind. His training methods are enjoyable and his commitment is one hundred percent,” says the captain of the Club – Air Force Captain Priyadarshana Sampatha – Open Age Group Champion.
“All my hundred odd swimmers may not get gold medals at International meets but that does not mean that we don’t try. If we try and don’t get it, there is no shame in that. If we don’t try then there is shame in that,” says Manoj Abeysinghe who is buiding a pool in partnership with CR and FC and will take on at least a thousand swimmers before next year from beginner to International level.
Sri Lanka‘s swimmers are surely going to make a mark in the world very soon with the dedication, commitment and ever evolving techniques of Manoj Abeysinge.