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| Sunday, 15 May 2005 |
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Seevali Central boxing thrives on Caltex sponsorship by Ranjan Anandappa Caltex Lubricants pledged their wholehearted support for boxing at Seevali Central College for another two years at a simple, but meaningful ceremony held at the College Hall last Wednesday at Ratnapura. There were old and present boys along with well-wishers to witness the ceremony in numbers at Seevali where boxing has become synonymous with Caltex since they first gave a helping hand for the sport in 2002. "It's a worthwhile cause, suppporting an under-priveleged school with talent and resources than supporting a popular and wealthy school without much talent. The so-called popular schools have reached great heights not only because of the education, but due to various other extra curricular activities", said Kishu Gomes Managing Director of Caltex Lubricants Ltd, who was the chief guest. He further said that winning alone is insufficient. Developing skills and techniques were equally important. He gave an example of the performances of the Australian cricket team who have dominated the cricket world for many years because of their highly technical and judiciously planned development programmes. This makes even their reserve players suitable replacements for the 'big'games. Many a businessman today try to emulate this Aussie attitude even in their day-to-day business activities. The economic development will enhance the development of sports and the development of sport will help to develop the financial input and the society. He said the prime objective of the whole programme should be focussed on winning an Olympic medal. "It is not impossible reaching international heights at boxing because of its weight categories. The prime objective of the sport is to work oneself to win medals at international level with sights on an elusive Olympic medal in the near future. The principal of Seevali Central D. M. Gunaratne said that the sponsorship has been a great source of inspiration for the school which some other schools feel a bit envious about, but the principal was positive that the school could maintain the good standards with the help of the sponsors. He said that they lost the L. V. Jayaweera competition in their own backyard and won the T. B. Jayah Trophy narrowly. And prior to the Stubbs Shield Championship, they were summoned to Colombo and given great encouragment by the Caltex team and this resulted in winning the Shield in convincing style with a big points margin by 43 to 19. This type of encouragement could enhance a team one hundred percent while the opponents chances plumet down considerably. He thanked the boxing coach Saman Kumara, an old boy of Seevali and his employer Dion Gomes, the Managing Director of Unichela and Slimline for granting permission for Kumara to make available himself to coach Seevali boxers for three days of the week. |
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