Principal Appeals to Sports Minister

Nethmi Avishka Gimhani (right) came to Colombo to hand over the appeal letter with her mother and sister    

Two youth champions from Geli Oya school omitted from Sri Lanka squad for Asian tourney despite winning trials

By  Allaam Ousman  

In a heartfelt last-ditch appeal, the Principal of Sri Pragnarathana Central College, Geli Oya, W.M.U.J.B. Weerasinghe has urged Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage to intervene and rectify what he calls a serious injustice to two of the school’s boxers, who have been controversially omitted from the Sri Lanka squad for the upcoming ASBC Asian Youth and Under-22 Boxing Championships to be held in Colombo from May 10 to 24.  

The two athletes in question - G.G.N.A. Gimhani (52-54kg) and B.G.H.D. Madusha (48-50kg) - both emerged champions in their respective Youth categories during the official selection trials held from February 18 to 21 at the Royal MAS Arena. Despite their victories, they were not named in the 25-member final training squad.  

In an official letter dated May 5 and copied to several top officials including Deputy Sports Minister Sugath Thillakaratne, District MP K.D. Lal Kantha, Sports Director General Prof. Shemal Fernando, and heads of the Boxing Association and Schools Boxing Association, Principal Weerasinghe called for “justice and fair play” for the two boxers who not only won their bouts but did so while also preparing for their GCE O/L examinations.  

“It is baffling how the minimum weight category - which Madusha won - was excluded entirely from the competition lineup, while all higher weight classes were retained,” the Principal noted in the letter. “Moreover, Gimhani’s omission is unjustifiable. She not only won her trial bout but has prior international experience, having represented Sri Lanka at the ASBC Junior Girls Championship in Al Ain, UAE.”  

Gimhani’s international credentials include a win against Bhutan in the opening round before being stopped by a Kazakh opponent. Despite this background, she was dropped from the final squad of 25 boxers. In a controversial move, her defeated opponent at the trials - Hashini Fernando of Vihara Maha Devi Balika Vidyalaya, Kiribathgoda - was selected following a series of disputed sparring sessions.  

Chairman of the Boxing Association of Sri Lanka’s (BASL) Selection Committee, F.H. Abdulla Ibunu, defended the decision, stating that boxers with “medal-winning potential” were chosen for the squad.  

At a press conference on Monday, BASL President Anuruddha Shanaka Bandara confirmed that 33 boxers had been shortlisted for the national squad but said the final list would be released only after receiving formal approval from the Sports Minister. According to BASL sources, as the host nation, Sri Lanka had the privilege of expanding its team to fill unclaimed slots in certain weight categories.  

However, Sports Ministry officials, including newly appointed National Sports Selection Committee Chairperson Sriyani Kulawansa, have yet to approve the squad - offering a ray of hope to the sidelined Gimhani and Madusha.  

In a bold and emotional move, Gimhani personally travelled from her hometown to Colombo with her mother on Wednesday to deliver the appeal letter by hand to the Ministry of Sports.  
“The only fair and transparent way to resolve this issue is to hold a fresh trial bout between the two boxers concerned,” said an official close to the situation. “Let performance, not politics, decide who wears the national jersey.”  

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka prepares to host one of the most significant boxing events on the Asian calendar, with 25 countries including powerhouses like Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Pakistan confirming participation in the ASBC Asian Youth & U22 Championships.  

Kazakhstan has named a formidable squad aiming to top the medal tally, while Tajikistan’s champions Farinoz Abdulloyeva and Biloldzhon Iksanov are expected to return strong. Sri Lanka will field a record 33 athletes, led by ASBC Elite bronze medallist Umayanga Mihiran, who will also serve as the country’s flag bearer.  

The championship officially kicks off with the draw and technical meetings on May 10 at Cinnamon Red Hotel, with the first bouts scheduled for May 12. Finals will take place on May 22 and 23.  

As the clock ticks down, Gimhani and Madusha - two young champions - await a decision that could define their future in the sport.