Mahamayan swim mill churns out more silverware

Mahamaya College in Kandy continue to excel in swimming by claiming a number of championships this year, with the latest achievement being the overall championship (girls category) at the 40th Milo All-Island S ch o o l s Swimming Championships which was held recently.

The girls from the hill country scored 614.5 points while Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo came second with 406 points and Ladies’ College followed in third with 335 points.

More than 2000 swimmers from 180 schools participated in the tournament. The categories Mahamaya won were the Under 15 team championship, the overall junior championship and the tournament’s championship. This is their 15th consecutive victory at the Milo championships.

Mahamaya’s new records, Under 15- 400m medley relay (5.17.09) and the Under 15-400 m freestyle relay ( 4.36.84) factored significantly in their march to victory. As a result of the new records, they were able to notch an impressive tally of 154 points in the Under-15 age group.

Among their other achievements this year are the Junior National Short Course Swimming Championships, the two-mile sea swim and the Pentathlon Championships. Mahamaya also claimed the National Age Group Swimming Relay Championships for the 12th consecutive year. Principal, I. Vithaanachchi told the Education Times that a passion for swimming is instilled in the minds of students from Grade 01.

“This is the reason why Mahamaya has been able to claim junior championships and set new records. Training starts at 5.15 to 7.15 in the morning from Monday to Friday. The morning training allows students to have a fresh start and their studies are not interrupted,” she said.

According to her, the swimmers excel in studies as the morning training helps them to focus both in sports and studies. “The school makes sure that students who attend swimming practices do not miss their studies. Teachers conduct additional classes for these students,” she said. Dhammika Siripala, the teacher-in-charge of the sport, said the school makes arrangements for the students to travel from Kandy to Colombo and other areas for tournaments while parents too readily extend their support.

The Captain of the Mahamaya swimming team Imani Abeykoon said that about 60 students in the 2013 squad worked determinedly this year in order to produce the school’s latest success.

“Our coach maintained discipline and students who take continuous leave were replaced. The students who were enthusiast about the sport were encouraged and given proper training. Being at the pool by 5.15 in the morning was not an easy thing for many,” she said.

Coach I. H. Sugath, with more than a decade of experience in grooming swimmers from Trinity Colle ge, Dhar maraja College and Mahamaya College, Kandy said that both the swimmers and their parents worked tirelessly in order to bring victory to the college.

“During my experience as a coach, I have observed the dedication Mahamayans show towards the game. The majority of the students choose swimming as a sport from the time they are little kids. Our Under 9, 11, 13 and14 teams have performed well. Despite the decision by authorities to not accept records in these age categories, our students continue with their interest towards the sport,”he said.

Coach Sugath said that although the team consists of 60 students there are many who have chosen swimming.

“Parents too make a lot of sacrifices and support in all ways. It costs about Rs. 6000 per season for a parent for training, cost for events and travelling. But they are happy to do it,” he said.

According to the coach, pure dedication makes the girls from the central hills achieve even in sea- swim events.