Respect Wushu, not individuals - Manel

Channa Bandara Wijekoon

“Knowing is not enough. We must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.”

The above famous quote by the Legendary Bruce Lee, king of Kung Fu, perfectly matches with the temperament and profile of Manel Dharmakeerthie, who is entrusted with a multitude of portfolios locally and internationally, to bring forth Wushu into limelight.

Manel presently holds office as the Secretary of Wushu Federation of Sri Lanka and Secretary General of South Asian Wushu Federation, while functioning as an active member of National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka and Wushu Federation of Asia.

In the mid 80s, Japanese Karate dominated the Sri Lanka arena. Manel had started studying a mixed martial art form from a person who emerged from his hometown.

In the 80s decade, President Deng Xiao Ping broke the iron curtain which deprived China of its rights as a Nation to interact with the outside world for many decades.

This paved way for China to share its age-old traditions, secrets and of course Chinese Martial Arts with other countries. Thus Chinese Kung Fu (Wushu) association decided to make Wushu a sport, to go in line with the Olympic Charter. Subsequently, Wushu Federation of Asia was formed in 1987.

Manel as a youngster in the light of this fresh background had foreseen the future of the sport and had contacted the Chinese Embassy with a view to seeking assistance in introducing Wushu to Sri Lanka.

In the process, the then Cultural Secretary of the Chinese Embassy, You Guodi had introduced him to Dr Yan Jin Lin, who was an expert in Wushu and a Chinese National Bronze medallist.

Manel had learned true Chinese martial arts from this gentleman. Furthermore, he had obtained an advanced training from Laoshi Xia Mei Xia.

In 1989, WuShu became the 44th National registered sport in Sri Lanka. National Federation of Wushu in Sri Lanka was formed in 1993. Manel became the founder joint Secretary General.

The first National Championship was held in 1994. He had successfully negotiated with the Chinese Embassy to offer two scholarships for two sportsmen to study Wushu in Beijing Sports University.

The year 1997 was a significant one for Wushu in Sri Lanka. The then sports Minister S B Dissanayake got the cabinet approval for the Wushu Federation of Sri Lanka, thus giving the entity legislative power. With a view to eliminating abuse of power prevailed within the Federation, the Minister appointed an interim committee to oversee activities in 2000. Minister T B Ekanayake became the President of the committee, while Manel Dharmakeerthie became the Secretary.

Thus, all activities of the federation was streamlined and all associations under the wing started deriving benefits for the first time, which had been enjoyed by some privileged quarters for a certain period. National squad was selected purely in terms of talent.

In 2000, South Asian Wushu Federation comprising Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and India was formed and Manel became a founder member.

The same year, first ever South Asian Wushu Championships were held in Katmandu, Nepal. For the first time in history, Sri Lanka officially represented this international Wushu tournament to win three Gold, eight Silver and nine Bronze medals.

Hanoi, Vietnam hosted the fifth Asian Wushu championship in 2000 for which, 30 countries represented. The world renowned sports magazine China Sports said, Though they did not win medals, unknown players from Sri Lanka and Myanmar gave splendid performances.

Manel became an international Wushu judge and referee in 2001. The International Wushu Federation Technical Committee (IWUF) conducted the examination. Chairman of the committee, Prof. Wu-Bin was the trainer of international Martial Arts super star, Jet Li.

In 2008, Manel was invited as an Elite Judge to serve the Beijing Olympic games, which he considers as the pinnacle of his sporting career. He is the only Sri Lankan and the South Asian to be a referee in the Olympics.

Over the years, many have shed sweat and blood to boost the image of Wushu in Sri Lanka. Manel had the courtesy to salute all his colleagues, officials, sportsmen and former Sports Ministers for their yeomen service.