Ananda College with dignity inaugurated its new Boxing Ring, symbolizing the college’s dedication to promoting boxing talent. The ceremony, graced by Dian Gomes, President of the Sri Lanka Amateur Boxing Association as the chief guest, and attended by Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne, marked a historic step for the college on Wednesday.
The state-of-the-art facility highlights Ananda College’s commitment to nurturing future boxing champions for the nation. Dian Gomes, the Sri Lanka Boxing Chief, played a crucial role in bringing this essential resource to the college, known for producing two Olympic boxers in the past.
During the ceremony, Gomes emphasized the inspiration drawn from siblings CP Jayasuriya and HP Jayasuriya, who represented Sri Lanka from Ananda College in two Olympics. He expressed confidence in the potential of the college to produce new champions, laying the foundation for a promising future in boxing.
Through collaboration with the International Boxing Association (IBA), Dian Gomes secured gloves for the school’s use. General Kamal Gunaratne, a distinguished Ananda College past student and war hero, extended support by assigning an Army Coach to guide and train aspiring boxers, showcasing a commitment to the development of talent.
“We are actively searching for the next school boxing prodigy, aiming to replicate the success of HP Jayasuriya and CP Jayasuriya,” stated Gomes during his address to the gathering, emphasizing the dedication to nurturing and developing boxing talent within Ananda College.
Highlighting Gomes’s commitment to the sport’s growth, it was revealed that he personally funded around 10 boxing rings for various schools across Sri Lanka, including prestigious colleges like S Thomas’ College and Trinity College. This initiative demonstrates a broader effort to expand access to quality boxing facilities and promote the sport’s development at the grassroots level.
With unwavering dedication, General Kamal Gunaratne, the Defence Secretary of Sri Lanka, spearheaded the initiative as the President of Old Anandians Sports Club and Old Anandian Boxing Wing. The commitment of General Gunaratne played a pivotal role in making this event possible. With gratitude to the ring donor, MAS Holdings, its CEO, Rajiv Dharmendra, graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour.
