Dian Gomes - a punch goes out of boxing

LESLIE Fernando

The quintessential corner man, boxing stalwart, king of his own ring, who has taken many a punch, given twice as many back and now after five years of dedicated service to the Amateur Boxing Association (ABA) of Sri Lanka, Dian Gomes will step down as its president.

A boxing enthusiast since his youth, Dian was four time flyweight champion at his school - Royal College and was National Junior Flyweight champion in 1975. He served as vice president of the ABA from 2002 to 2004 when he succeeded DIG Thangavelu as president.

From then onwards fortune smiled on Dian who restored the organisation to its former glory. He gave the ABA a sense of purpose putting in place clear strategies and setting short medium and long term goals.

The professionalism from the corporate world was introduced into the association and it was made completely transparent. Dian also brought in stalwarts who were dedicated as he was to the sport and was also able to secure the financial backing from a number of corporate heavyweights who supported his vision of a return to the golden days of boxing.

Success was not long in coming at the 2004 SAF Games in Islamabad, Sri Lanka garnered four silver medals and in 2005 K. Sameera and H. Kumara both earned bronze medals at the Commonwealth Boxing Championships in Glasgow. International medals were pouring in and Sri Lanka was hosting dual boxing tournaments.

Then came Anuruddha Ratnayake's triumph when he was ranked 5th in the world at the AIBA world championships and qualified for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. It is a dream for Dian to see a Sri Lankan boxer to holding aloft an Olympic medal and although it was not possible in 2008, Anuruddha supported wholeheartedly by Dian showed that an Olympic medal is not building castles in the air. Sri Lankans do not lack the talent, it is there, waiting to be tapped. And this was what Dian did. He had unwavering faith in the abilities of our people and he simply reached out and brought it forward.

There can be no doubt that Dian Gomes reformed the ABA and breathed life anew into the Sri Lankan boxing scene. He had a highly successful presidency although the ABA will not miss his presence entirely. He will continue to function as a member of the Executive Committee and will lend his skills on finding and grooming new talent as well as fund raising for the Association.

The momentum that Dian established will be continued under the new presidency of the very capable Udeni Kiridene who will serve with Major General Jagath Jayasuriya as his vice president.

Udeni brings to the presidency decades of boxing experience and an equal fervent ardour for the sport that Dian possessed. An old boy of Trinity College, Udeni has won the Stubbs Shield twice in his youth and was adjudged 'Best Boxer' for the year 1982 - the same year he was awarded the highest honour in school - the 'Lion' for his boxing achievements.

A qualified international boxing referee, he has officiated at a number of prestigious international boxing events including the King's Cup in Thailand, the Commonwealth Championship in the UK and the Olympic trials in the Philippines in 2004 and Kazakhstan in 2008.

He has also represented Sri Lanka as Chef-de-Mission at the South Asian Junior Championships in Nepal in 2001. Under Udeni's tutelage, Sri Lanka boxing will continue its passion and dedication will ensure the ABA continues to flourish.

Supporting Udeni in his presidency will be Major General Jagath Jayasuriya Vice President of the ABA since 2006. A true Sri Lankan hero he has been in the armed forces since 1978. As the Security Forces Commander, Wanni, he considers his great achievement to be the leadership he gives to the present 'Wanni operations' in his role as Commander.

He has served in various operational and operations in his role as commander. He has served in various staff positions and has led the 1st Reconnaissance Regiment, Armoured Brigade and Infantry Brigade, 52 Division.

Major General Jagath Jayasuriya will punch the leadership and discipline acquired from decades spent in the armed forces to the ABA in addition to his expertise in the boxing arena, he was Royal College boxing captain in 1977 and three time Stubs Shield winner 1974, 1976, 1977.

An AIBA referee/judge since 2005 he has officiated at the Commonwealth Games in 2006 and World Championships in 2007.

Dian Gomes' presidency of the ABA has the touch of legend about it. A failing association a dying sport, brought back to life by the determination and tenacity of one man. Now the torch is passed on to equal and adept hands and the ABA shall continue as a premier sports body in Sri Lanka.

Great things are expected. And that they will be delivered is certain.