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Page last updated: 23-07-2007

FoG opens first class sports facilities in Seenigama

The Foundation of Goodness (FoG) is diving right into a new phase of sports training through the opening of a swimming pool, sports management office, clubhouse and accommodation centre in the heart of Seenigama last weekend.

The event was attended by both the Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Dr Greg French and the British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Dominick Chilcott, as well as Chairman of Cricket NSW Mr Bob Horsell, and featured a cricket match between players from the Australian High Commission and the Foundation of Goodness cricket team including FoG Founder Kushil Gunasekera.

The opening was a fun-filled day for spectators and players alike, with a decisive win for the Foundation of Goodness team at 2 for 67 in the 8th over vs the Australian High Commission’s total of 65 in 15 overs. The Bryan Adams swimming pool was christened with a swim meet of local children who showed off their skills in new swimwear donated by Speedo (manufactured in Sri Lanka under license by the MAS group), thanks to CEO of the Speedo factory Mr Sarinda Unamboowa who has pledged to provide swimming costumes to all the village children in future.

The sports facilities are the first stage of a planned sports academy which will provide thousands of youth in the region with the opportunity to enhance their skills in cricket, swimming, athletics, badminton, volley ball and more.

Mr Gunasekera said that the generosity of the donors including the Surrey County Cricket Club, Mr Bryan Adams, New South Wales Cricket, High Gate school in the UK, Australian High Commission, UNDP, Jersey Side by Side charity in Channel Islands and Y’men International has made these sports facilities a reality. Local children will be able to develop their talents to a much higher level, giving them a ‘sporting chance’ to compete with their better resourced city cousins.

‘Donors like Mr Bryan Adams, who auctioned his guitar to fund the 25m swimming pool and kiddies’ pool, are giving our next generation the chance to be up there with the best in their chosen sport,’ he said.

The opening event gave dignitaries and FoG supporters the chance to tour the new facilities, which

include an office for the Seenigama Sports team, a clubhouse with change rooms, two accommodation centres for touring teams and the Bryan Adams Swimming Complex.

Both High Commissioners spoke encouragingly about the sports programs, and the work being done by FoG in a post tsunami environment.

‘I have to say that not many villages I’ve seen have anything like it,’ said Mr Chilcott.

‘It’s an impressive achievement and I’m delighted that UK organisations are involved in supporting the work being done.’

Dr French, who has visited FoG on several occasions since the tsunami, also had high praise for FoG and the infrastructure that has been created.

‘If we only had more Foundations like this one around Sri Lanka, the country would be recovered from tsunami damage,’ he said.

‘This project is a shining example of grass-roots driven redevelopment and it’s a credit to Kushil that such high standards have been achieved.

‘We look forward to the accommodation centre here being used not just by locals and international guests, but to bring people in for…exchanges with the North and East.’

Mr Horsell, who was representing Cricket NSW on his first visit to FoG, spoke highly of the standard of cricket in the area and praised the volunteers around the world who dedicate their time to sport.

‘I’ve been blown away by the facilities here. The cricket ground is as good as it gets,’ he said.

‘If it could be replicated across Sri Lanka, it would be wonderful for the development of cricket in this country.

	‘It’s a great project and one that everyone involved should be proud of. Volunteers around the world make sports alive.’

The Foundation of Goodness thanks the donors for their generosity, and also acknowledges with gratitude other donors such as the Western Australian Cricket Association, Mr Harry Solomons of Kingsgrove sport in New South Wales (Aus), Mr David Cruse of Knox restaurant in Melbourne (Aus) and Help Sri Lanka Australia. Their support has made this one of a kind sports complex possible in a tsunami affected village, and will elevate the standards of sports in the region, providing hope to disadvantaged children and youth.