Diver Hisbullah aims to bring honour and fame to Sri Lanka

LESLIE Fernando

Diving: The seventeen year old Hiras Hisbullah of Royal College will be one of the future prospects for Sri Lanka in diving. The National Diving Champion Hiras main aim is to represent Sri Lanka in international diving championships and bring honour and glory similar to famous Allan Smith and Janaka Biyanwala both who represented Sri Lanka at the Olympics in 1952 and 1996 respectively.

Hiras the captain of Royal College champion diving team for last three years started first ever diving competition in 2002. He was placed in all the meets he participated. In the Public Schools and the National Diving Championships Hiras has performed excellently in both the spring board and platform diving. He was named the Best Diver in Public Schools and National Diving Championships last year.

Hiras who took to diving simply because it was exciting and an uncommon sport soon found out that he cannot part with it.

Even though he watched several top divers from his young days he was very scared of the water. It was Mahinda Liyanage who persuaded Hiras to take to the sport and he has no regrets. It is very tough.

You have to be fit both mentally and physically the training is tough but is pays said Hiras.

Hiras added that diving is very tough sport, fitness counts a lot as well as dedication.

Diving is my main sport but I also play cricket and football for the college. I like this sport because I think this suits my talent, I always like to jump and roll. You need self-confidence to dive and I have enough belief in me for a sport like this, said Hiras.

My coach Mahinda Liyanage, an old Royalist, national swimmer and diver and also national diving coach always there to back me up and he advices me whenever I make a mistake. He is a very enthusiasts person and he loves his students. I don't think I can find another coach like him. He has played a major role in my every victory.

My goal is to represent Sri Lanka in an major international event and win a medal to my motherland, said the confident diver Hiras.

Hiras has represented Sri Lanka at the Asian Age Group Diving Meet in Bangkok in 2007 and he was placed 12th in his age group.

Royal College has been behind me supporting in my events, even the old boys, past divers give me all the encouragement. Finally my parents does every possible step for me to balance my education and sports. Hiras is also good in studies and is a 'A' level student.