February was an exciting month for the Sports Academy staff of the Foundation of Goodness (FoG) as it made preparations for two major sporting events. The start of the month was the much anticipated swimming meet where girls and boys in the age groups of Under 13, 15 and 17 and Over 19 participated in various swimming styles ranging from freestyle, backstroke and breast stroke to butterfly. It was the first time such a huge event was organized which saw a great turn out of spectators to witness the talent of these skilled swimmers displayed in the 25m, six lane Bryan Adam’s swimming pool at the Sports Academy. 

Over 150 youngsters from the Seenigama region participated in over 20 races which also included relays, whilst the crowd gathered to cheer the swimmers. The meet ended with the prizing of medals, trophies and certificates to the winners from various categories that came at first, second and third place. The swimming meet lasted almost the whole day, the excitement wearing off by late afternoon. 

Swimming coach Janaka Lal had hoped that by 2008 students who train at the swimming pool will be ready to apply to compete in swimming meets. This was proven on the day with the vast number of talented swimmers whose skills reflected just how ready some of them will be to compete in the national level competitions in the near future. 

The swimming meet was followed by a triathlon organized on the 16th of February by Graham Hardman, a volunteer swim coach from the UK. This is also a first for the Seenigama community and it was exactly what Graham had in mind when he came to the village. ‘I decided to organize a triathlon for the children in Seenigama because I wanted them to experience such an event. These events are becoming very common in the UK and they are great fun and also very challenging,’ he said. 

And challenging it was. The triathlon consisted of a 250m swim to Temple Island and back, followed by a cycle around the surrounding villages for a distance of 5km, completed by a 2km run around the cricket pitch at the FoG Sports Academy. 

A few minutes before the triathlon began around eighteen people had drifted in with their bicycles and goggles in hand all ready to go. This is the usual determination displayed by the villagers when it comes to their much loved sporting activities. The children and few adults took it all in their stride, all of them setting off at a rapid sprint. 

The winner completed the race in a time of 22 minutes and 30 seconds which is most impressive by any standards. Prize money was taken away by those who came first, second and third along with their tired bodies, but yet in the usual Sri Lankan style of smiling faces. This indeed proved to be a day of success not only for the participants but also the spectators who crowded the streets in support of their fellow village friends. 
Graham hopes such events will be repeated each year, which will no doubt encourage young talented individuals to excel in their favourite sport and take competition to a whole new level. 

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