Boxer Herath becomes volleyball promoter

Bernard PERERA

VOLLEYBALL: Volleyball the national sport in Sri Lanka is moving towards a new era with a set of officials who has taken over the charge of the governing body for the same.

There is an official who is working hard to improve the game to greater heights. He is Mahinda Senarath Bandara Herath who was born in Matara. He is the Vice President of the Volleyball Federation of Sri Lanka working along with its president Dilan Perera, Minister for Justice and legal Reforms.

Herath at present is the Managing Director attached to the National Youth Services Council. Speaking to Daily News Herath said that though he was from Matara he had the opportunity of having his education at Royal College.

This he said was because his father was employed in Colombo. Adding further Herath said volleyball never was seen at Royal and he took to boxing.

He boxed for many years and also did coaching for a few years at his alma-mater. In 1986 he won the Best Boxer award and later was a member of the Boxing Referees Association holding many positions.

When questioned as to how he entered the volleyball arena he said that it was a sudden turn around. After getting employment at NYSC, I suddenly came across few files that showed the details of the NYSC.

Rupavahini Volleyball championship for men and women. The tournament was not held for two years, so I thought it fitting to revive the same as early as possible and sought the assistance of SLVBF. This brought in good results for the game and also the NYSC. This really turned my attention to the sport said Herath.

Later when the volleyball elections were to be held some interested parties wanted me to contest but I had second thoughts. I contacted Minister Dilan Perera. his response was positive but said that he does not want a contest. This prompted me too and we were elected unanimously said Herath.

Since then I was playing a silent role in developing the sport. He says his main duty was in finding sponsors for the game. With my contacts I was able to find many sponsors. This was possible because I took a keen interest in educating them with the national sport and how it has caught up in almost all parts of the country.

This really gave the sponsors an impression as they could go out to the masses on a large scale covering the whole country, added Herath.

Herath says that Volleyballers too gave their best in promoting the sport. This was a real attraction for the companies that came forward. First it was DSI a local company that took up the challenge in promoting this game at school level.

The President’s Trophy and the NYSC Rupavahini Volleyball championships which was revived to two years ago saw the whole country participate said Herath.

With the revival of these tournaments well known companies thought it fit to assist them, and Ceylon Biscuits Ltd and Dialog GSM took a keen interest, said this silent worker for the game.

Their participation in this sport has done a lot for the game. The governing body was able to find new talent from the outstations. It was possible to raise the standard of players.

He said that all other sports had a market value which helped players to maintain a status as good citizens. This was something that was lacking for local spikers he said. With these officials working hard the sport has been given its due recognition.

Earlier it was not the case. the game was confined only to the rural areas while a few managed to reach the national level he said. Now things have changed completely with volleyball joining hands with leading firms, from which they get the opportunity of reaching the rural masses, said Herath.

When asked whether he hopes to be engaged with the sport further, he said that is happy with the progress the sport has made during these few years. Volleyball will surely be with me for long. I say this because more than me, Volleyball has gained a lot while the rural folk too have benefitted immensely.

I think our duty should be to see a well disciplined society. Through sport it is possible he says. Specially the rural masses have gained a lot from this sport and it should be promoted further. This is my vision. My intention from the younger days was to serve society.

Now I have got the opportunity to do the same. As such I will continue to be with volleyball to serve society at large. But I will not forget Boxing.

Boxing has given me the courage to accept victory and defeat as a good sportsman. It is my bounden duty to help Boxing too whenever it is possible. I will definitely be with both sports said Herath in a happy mood.