Premila Fernando

Scoring life’s goals with success

Suharshi Perera

The goal was in her sight. But stout opponents were standing in her way, blocking every move. Unruffled, she darted through the court, ball in hand, piercing the rivals’ shield to reach the goalpost. The ball spun through the air and fell through the basket, as the indoor stadium reverberated with applause.

Basketball had always fascinated Premila Fernando, who was ranked the Second Best Player at the recent Asian Games. Premila’s face and eyes light up when she narrates how she dribbled the ball to score the most victorious point in her life.

Premila turned to the beginning of her story. “Since my school days at St.Joseph’s Balika, Nugegoda I had a

 craving for athletics and netball. It was my netball coach Desima Fernando who recognised my speed and talent and guided me to take up basketball.”

Premila’s passion for the sport and unwavering determination saw her surmount all obstacles blocking her way to the destination.

Small-made Premila was never overwhelmed in the presence of hefty opponents. She swiftly moved about and hurled the ball to pass through the basket. Her speed stranded the giants, showering medals and fame on her and her Motherland.

Premila won the Best Player title many times when playing for her school. She became captain of the Sri Lanka Women’s Basketball team in 2004 and was selected Best Player at the 2003/04 Indian South Zone Championship.

At the recent Asian Games Championship she was second to an Indian opponent. “Geetha was very tall. But my speed was my strength. I think I was the shortest of all,” Premila recalls.

Premila, born in Raththanapitiya, Boralesgamuwa is the youngest of a family of three daughters. “My mother was the force behind my success. None of my sisters was interested in sports. My father was a bit worried as my heart and soul were in sports. He wanted me to go up in my studies as well”.

Ajith Kuruppu and Hayaz Haroon are Premila’s school and national coaches. “We played with boys and that’s how we gained speed,” Premila added.

She is attached to the Central Cash Department of the Seylan Bank. The bank is very cooperative in granting leave for practices, Premila said.

Premila loves to collect books, magazines and cards on basketball. “I’m known for cracking jokes and keeping my friends in good spirits,” she said.

Premila and her team hope to enter the A Division in the Asian Games in 2009 from the B Division, where they are today. Their performance at the tournament will be decisive to enter the Olympics.

“There is no adequate sponsorship for basketball. Until the recent Asian Games Tournament I personally had to bear the expenses of my travelling and lodging when I took part in overseas tournaments.

For outstation players it is more difficult as they have to find their own means even at local tournaments. The nutrition aspect is also instrumental,” she pointed out.

According to Premila unlike their foreign opponents they do not have an opportunity to practise in indoor courts.

“Basketball is always played indoors but here we have access to only two indoor courts. We have to face an uphill struggle to book those courts,” she says.

She has no time to spend on household activities but likes to watch television and go to church on Sundays.

“Nothing in this world can beat your confidence and determination. Training helps a lot but your courage and dedication is the key to your success,” Premila remarked.

Look fresh and bright in rainy weather

BEAUTY: Dense make up has a risk of being smudged and washed out severely. So light and sheer make up is more advisable. Use waterproof mascara, transfer-resistant lipsticks and waterproof liners and may even use waterproof foundation. Here are some tips to keep you pretty when it is raining cats and dogs:

* Wash and cleanse the face thoroughly and rub an ice cube on your face for five to 10 minutes to lower the sweating rate so that the make up stays for longer period.

* Women with oily skin can use astringent while women with dry to normal skin can use toner after the ice to cool and refresh the skin.

* Avoid foundation and prepare the base of your make up using powder slightly.

* Sheer film of light brown, beige, pastel or pink cream eye shadow can be used along with eyeliner and use a coat or two of waterproof mascara.

* Soft matte lipsticks are preferable to most women during this time but you may use a soft brown or pink shade with sheer gloss.

* Do not neglect to use water-based moisturisers during the rainy season to keep away the oily skin, acne and water loss due to perspiration and sweating.

* Keep your hairstyles simple and easy. Elaborate hairstyles are more difficult to manage and redo. Damp hair does not look good with them. You may use layered hairstyles instead.

* Bright jewellery is in vogue during the rainy season. You may opt for stone studded light jewellery.

* If you use blush, keep it light and blend it well. Cream blush in shades of pink, peach and brown can be used.

* Keep your eyebrows in shape with treading and hair gel for you cannot use eyebrow pencil during a downpour.

* Wash your hair regularly and massage your scalp regularly to keep dandruff and other hair problems at bay.

* Denims are not for monsoons; wear light cotton fabrics, capri pants and three quarters.

* White and light colours can easily get muddy, so avoid them.

* Throw your leather boots and high heels at the back and wear sneakers and sandals.

Drapes and curtains

HANDY TIPS: Drapes and curtains get dusty and dirty. They should be dusted and cleaned regularly basis to prevent permanent staining. But drapes that have been exposed to the sun for a long time, or are really old might need to be replaced. Here are some tips to keep them look good.

For a quick fix, freshen curtains in the dryer. Set it to the ‘air only’ cycle and run for several minutes. To avoid iroing, wash them (as the table indicates) and then dissolve a cup of Epsom salt in hot water. Dip the sheers into the mixture and hang them in the shower to dry.

For washable curtains and drapes, vacuum or shake off dust and loose dirt. Soak badly soiled curtains in warm water and fabric - safe bleach - if the label says it’s OK for the fabric. Then wash in warm or cold water, whichever the label allows along with regular detergent. Select a high water level so, the drapes can move freely in the washing machine.

Pregnancy and Arthritis

Lupus and pregnancy

DR. Kaleel Cassim MBBS, MD (Medicine)

What types of problem can happen with lupus later in pregnancy?

* Your blood pressure may increase (pre-eclampsia) so regular checks are necessary. High blood pressure can cause severe headaches and visual disturbances, so you should consult your doctor if you develop these symptoms during pregnancy.

* Your baby may not grow as fast as normal (growth retardation).

* Your waters may break much earlier than usual or you may go into labour early (pre-term delivery).

There is a greater risk that these problems will occur if your kidneys are affected by the lupus and you already have high blood pressure before the pregnancy.

The problems listed above are also more likely if blood tests show that you have the antiphospholipid syndrome. You will be given a low-dose aspirin tablet every day, but you may also need daily injections of a blood-thinning drug (anticoagulant) called heparin. This does not cross the placenta so it does not affect your baby. You can easily be taught to give this injection yourself.

Will the lupus affect my labour?

No, you should have a normal labour like most women. However, if you go into labour too early, the doctors may try to stop you labouring, with drugs, to allow more time for the baby’s lungs to mature.

Because you have a greater risk of problems during your pregnancy, the doctors may sometimes feel that it is safer (for you or for the baby) if your baby is delivered by Caesarean section. This would be discussed with you during the pregnancy well before the time of labour.

To be continued

The writer is Consultant Rheumatologist,
Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital