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| Sunday, 7 December 2003 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Academic affairs and sport go hand in hand - Air Force Chief by A. C. DE SILVA Rowing at S. Thomas' College received a tremendous boost when the school authorities recognised the efforts of rowing captain Isuru Perera and vice-captain Dejan de Zoysa in international competitions and awarded the two oarsmen the Thomian Blue - the highest honour that a Thomian sportsman can obtain at the S. Thomas' College at Colours Nite held on Friday at the College Gymnasium at Mount Lavinia. Both Perera and De Zoysa have represented Sri Lanka in representative regattas and deserve the honour that has been bestowed on them. The S. Thomas' College Colours Awards ceremony had another distinguished Old Thomian in Air Marshall Donald Perera - the Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force and Mrs. Perera as the chief guests and there was another prominent figure among the distinguished gathering - Leader of the Opposition of Sri Lanka's Parliament Mahinda Rajapakse. It would have brought the Opposition Leader great joy to witness his son L. N. Rajapakse march upto the rostrum to receive his colours (reawarded) from the Chief Guest. Air Marshall Donald Perera said that all academic institutions must encourage sport as academic affairs and sports go hand in hand that will bring about the best out of a young man. Being a Thomian who had participated in sports activities during his school days, Donald Perera stated that S. Thomas' have given all schoolboys opportunities of participating in sports and the College had done well in sports in Sri Lanka. He said that sport activities is a must for the growing child and stressed the fact that it does not matter who wins and loses, the most important thing is to take part. "Never be discouraged at losing, it only means that the victor did better. Strive hard to keep oneself fit," the Air Chief said. Donald Perera was a athlete in his early days, participating in 100 and 200 metre races and was interested in a number of other sports. Speaking about cricket, he said that the school is preparing for the historic 125th Royal-Thomian cricket match in March next year and addressing the cricketers who were present, said: "I hope you will win the historic match." He said that he, as an Old Thomian, wanted to pay a special tribute to the coaches who have trained the numerous sports teams to achieve success. "S. Thomas' has reached a pinnacle in sport in Sri Lanka. Keep it up," he advised the Thomian schoolboys. S. Thomas' Warden Dr. David Ponniah said that they were celebrating the second colours nite and he said that he was of the view that both sport and academic activities must go together so that the students would be able to meet any eventuality. The Warden said that many people had asked him what was the need for a Colours Nite. "I told them that the boys have reached a high level of excellence and their efforts must be recognised," David Ponniah said, and stressed: "We produce people of excellence - not the numbers that matter, it is results." He said that the standard the school set for colours mean that some of the boys may not get colours. But a standard is set and the boys will strive hard to get colours next year." He also thanked the parents of pupils at S. Thomas' for giving him their full support in the promotion of sport and academic activities at the school. Colours were awarded in Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Cadetting, Rugby Football, Scouting, Swimming, Squash, Waterpolo, Chess, Table Tennis, Diving (Swimming), Cricket, Karate, Hockey. |
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