I recommend Gateway College to all sports stars who also want to shine in their studies – Shehan Ambepitiya

Shehan Ambepitiya, the fastest man in South Asia, sending a congratulatory message on Gateway’s Crystal Anniversary says that it was Gateway that paved the way for him to reach the international arena. Shehan who is currently undergoing training in Jamaica along with Usain Bolt, the fastest man in the world, is determined to make his country and the alma mater proud by doing his very best at the London Olympics later this year.

Recalling the day he joined Gateway after leaving President’s College, Rajagiriya, Shehan says, “I was a little nervous of the change as I was wondering whether I would be able to adjust in an international school as many people had warned me that they were only for the elite. It was never the case at Gateway. From the very first meeting that I had with Chairman Mr. Alles, Gateway was not only my school, but my home. I made lots of friends who are still there for me even in my bad times. I still remember them writing notes for me when I missed school due to my competitions. We had great times together and they were true friends”.

Recalling the time when he had achieved very low marks for one of his term tests, Shehan says that he was summoned by Mr. Alles and was told that studies should be a priority. Thereafter, Mr. Alles had made a time table that included extra classes, but had also given him permission to come to school late after practices. Mr. Alles had requested the teachers to hold these extra classes and the loving and concerned teach- ers had helped him get through his Advanced Subsidiary (AS).

Shehan also believes that it is Gateway that brought him good luck, as he was able to represent the country in a world class competition for the first time in his life soon after joining the school. This was the Wo rl d Yo u t h A t h l e t i c s Championship held in Czech Republic. Since then he has represented the country on more than 25 occasions. They included World Junior Athletics Championship, 2007 in Poland where he was placed 7th in the world in the 100m; Asian Junior Athletics Championship where he won a silver medal in the 100m; South Asian Junior Athletics Championships where he won 3 gold medals in 100m, 200m, 4 x 100m; and the Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune where he again won - 3 gold medals in 100m, 200m and 4x100m. Shehan says, “I was lucky to be the Commonwealth Youth Champion while I was still a schoolboy.” Around the same time, with the support and the encouragement he had from the school, he managed to get through his Advanced Level examination (A2).

Shehan says, “After getting through my London Advanced Level, the Directorate of Gateway gave me a scholarship to commence my degree at the Gateway Graduate School, but within a few months I also received a scholarship to go to Jamaica for my further training”. When this was informed, Mr. Alles told him that his dream is to see Shehan representing his country and the school in the Olympics and that he has to take up the offer to move to Jamaica.

Shehan is grateful to Mr. Alles and the board of directors for making him strong financially by finding sponsorships and for being with him in his good times and the bad times. He says the sponsorship from Ceylon Biscuits (Munchee) at the beginning of his career was very useful to him. Shehan is very grateful to all his coaches, especially Mr. Sunil Gunawardane who set the stage for him to get to where he is today.