From education to sports, SAITM on top
Sports play an important role in the development of a human being, both physically and mentally. Even though proper education is the most important aspect for the future of a child, engaging in sporting activities is highly essential to enhance the physical standard, while it also develops the brain in many aspects such as quick and precise decision making, adjusting to the current situation, etc. What sports can teach you, cannot be learned in a classroom. It is a talent that is meant to be used as it is a part of your life.
South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM) is a non state educational institution providing world-class higher education in Sri Lanka. The institute is the brainchild of Dr. Neville Fernando, who is also the founder of the first private Medical Faculty in Sri Lanka. SAITM offers an excellent selection of academic qualifications that meets the new world and is offered through its four faculties – Medicine, Engineering, ICT & Media and Management.
As SAITM gives its highest focus towards the successful path of its student’s higher education, the institute also provides highend sporting facilities for Cricket, Football, Rugby, Table Tennis, Badminton, Swimming and Basketball.
The Director of Sports at S A I T M , M r. Pradeep Jayaprakash is a former National Cricket player, and along with his expertise, Basketball, Football and Rugby are coached by former National players to ensure the best training is given to its students in order to achieve the best in every sporting event. Big capital is allocated for the development of sports at SAITM and a Cricket turf, Basketball court and Swimming pool enhanced with high-end facilities are hired by the institute to provide better opportunities for the students engaging in these sports.
As the Chairman of SAITM, Dr. Neville Fernando is a keen sports enthusiast and new implementa- tions and developments are made while giving making sure good publicity is given for its sportsmen and sportswomen. The academic staff of the institute also play a major role in supporting and encouraging students in their involvement in sports.
Former school coloursmen are now outstanding sports personnel at SAITM along with a few National Badminton and Swimming representatives. At present, SAITM sports teams have been taking part in Inter-Uni competitions, and managed to perform extremely well. The Cricket team emerged as runner- up at the Inter- Uni Twenty20 Cricket Tournament organized by the Ko t e l aw a l a Defence University ( KDU) while the Badminton team emerged as runner- up at State- Uni organized tournament. Most recently, the Rugby encounter was won by SAITM defeating ACBT.
Annual sports encounters with leading institutions are held for Football against ANC, Basketball and Cricket against IIT. These annual events encourage existing students to give their best in the field as respect and achievement become a goal of their lives. During recent times, Tennis players have joined SAITM and plans to introduce Tennis as their 8th sport. The 29th of August this year will be an exciting day for all sportsmen and women of SAITM as their Colours Awarding Ceremony will be held and the most outstanding and senior players will receive Colours for exceptional performances in their respective sport.
SAITM also encourages students with outstanding track records in school, national or international level sports to apply for special scholarships in selected fields of study.
Sport indeed is a relief from the mental stress that academics can have on a student. Further, it is also a great opportunity for great talents to become champions as athletes and sports personnel. Today, SAITM along with its outstanding academic programmes, state-of-the-art campus, dynamic faculties and outstanding staff has unmatched sporting facilities for its students to become dynamic individuals reaching their fullest potential.