Visiting Celebrities and Rising Swimming Stars

The Foundation of Goodness’ Bryan Adams Pool Complex has always been a place of great opportunity for rural youth from training sportsmen who go on to represent both FoG and Sri Lanka on many national and international stages and hosting visiting sports stars and sports teams who bring with them a wealth of experience and knowledge. These past few months have been a perfect example of this buzz of constant activity.

In June, three time Olympic Gold Medalist water polo player Kiss Gergely from Hungary visited the Foundation of Goodness Sports Academy. The Sports Academy swimmers had gathered to meet the legend who then conducted a water polo practice session with the swimmers to teach them more about the sport. Needless to say, this was a wonderful opportunity for all the rural kids and youth who were present. Following up on this initial introduction to water polo, the Sri Lanka National Ladies Water Polo Team also paid a visit to Seenigama in August and conducted practice sessions at the Bryan Adams Pool Complex.

In addition to their introduction to water polo, the FoG swimmers have seized the opportunity to showcase their talents at various competitions. At the 40th National Age Group Aquatic Championships (Zone C) 2014 organised by the Ministry of Sports at the Dharmashoka College swimming pool, all the participants proved to be high performers. Nipun Chandima who was in the Under 20 age group placed first in 50 meters Free Style, 50 meters Butterfly Stroke, 200 meters Individual Medley and 50 meters Breast Stroke. Yasindu Kavishani who competed in the Under 17 category placed first at 50 meters Free Style, 50 meters Back Stroke, 50 meters Butterfly Stroke, and 50 meters Breast Stroke. Sayuri Kawya (U 15), Anjana Kanishka (U 20), Shehan Pramuditha (U 20), Rashan Vihanga (U 15), R. M. Sachin (U 20) and Dimuth Manushanka (U 17) also placed in the top three for a number of events.

In August, the FoG swimmers attended the R.M.P de Silva Memorial Inter Schools Age Group Swimming Championship, 2014 at the Dharmashoka Swimming Pool Complex in Ambalangoda. Once more, Nipun Chandima won first place at 4 of his events and second place at 3 more, winning the title of Under 19 Boys Champion and Yasindu Kavishani placed first in all 7 of her events winning the title of Under 17 Girls Champion.

We congratulate all of our swimmers and hope that others like them will also get the chance to shine through the services provided by the Foundation of Goodness Bryan Adams Pool Complex. Also keep an eye out for more updates about FoG’s star triathlete Lakruwan Wijesiri who is currently participating in three international events and first began his swimming training at the Bryan Adams Pool.

13th August 2014