Young athlete Lakshan heading for a bright future

Bernard PERERA

Roshan Fernando the student from St. Joseph's College, Colombo is reaching great heights in the field of Athletics. His performances in the recent past have been excellent Specially in field events and these efforts have brought him fine results when he was selected to represent the country at the forthcoming South Asian Junior Athletic Championships which scheduled to be held in Chennai from December 10 - 12.

At present he is undergoing training with the national junior pool at Sugathadasa Stadium.

Lakshan the son of SSP Roshan Fernando who was a top class athlete during his school Royal College in the late 70's also led the College athletic team in the under 16, 17 and 18.

Young Lakshan following the foot steps of his father took to athletic at the tender age of 09 winning the 80m at the schools sports meet in the year 1999. Following year competing in two events won the field event and was placed 2 in the track event.

This victory changed his passion and took to field events in a serious way concentrating on throwing events. Year by year he kept on developing his skills in these events and went on to win at very junior meet he competed. From the year 2000 onwards it was victories for him specially in the put shot and discus throw. He added a another event in the year 2005 taking the Javelin for the first time at the College meet and was placed third. At this meet he had two golds and a bronze.

These achievements put him in front at all Junior meets and Colombo zonal meets and became top athlete winning the Sri Lanka school colours in 2006. The year 2007 was one of his best competing in the u-17 age group won six first places and also became the champion and the senior track and field champion. At the Colombo Central zonal meet too he bagged three firsts to become the u-17 champs. He received the prestigious McCarthy challenge cup awarded for the best performer in the senior field events by the school.

Lakshan won the championship for three consecutive years in the age groups u-17, 18 and 19. His performances in the years 2008 and 2009 were excellent in his pet events. For these achievements he was declared the under 19 champion.

Athlete and the senior track and field champion for the years 2008 and 2009 this year too he was awarded the Sri Lanka schools colours for his performances in the Javelin throw.

It is left for him to continue his good work in the future too to bring glory to his motherland in competitions outside Sri Lanka.

Lakshan has the support from his father Roshan Fernando who excelled in athletics which also saw him rise to the rank of SSP in the Police force. Naval Secretary Commodore Shemal Fernando the uncle of youngster Lakshan who is highly involved with Athletics plays a vital role in Sri Lanka Navy's Athletic scene. With Lakshan having lot of family support is sure to make a big headway in the field of athletics.