St. Joseph’s College felicitates contributors to its successes in sports
St. Jose ph’s Colle ge Colombo organised a gala event to felicitate their distinguished old boy Johann Peries for his achievement being the first man to summit the Mount Everest who was also the chief guest for the event ‘Virtue of Excellence’.
The event also felicitated the yeomen services bestowed by their masters and teachers in-charge and coaching staffs for the successes of the school’s recent sporting achievements. The event was held at the newly opened Sports Auditorium on Thursday evening.
The gala event was organised by the Sports Council of St. Joseph’s College and Johann Peries, the first Sri Lankan male to summit Mount Everest, graced the occasion as the chief guest. During his speech Peries outlined the importance of keeping up to the values of sportsmanship, despite himself not being an active sportsperson back in his schooldays at St. Joseph’s.
“It’s important to learn from each mistake and setback and transform those into valuable lessons that could make you into champions. When I had to stop just 400 metres away from the peak of Mount Everest in my first attempt, that gave me a desire and a challenge that I should somehow complete the mission, and I did. I think what St. Joseph’s have proved during the recent years in the sports arena proves that the school is in good shape and obviously in the future could achieve better if we learn from our mistakes,” Peries stated.
Addressing at the event, The Chairman of the Sports Council thanked the coaches and the teachers and masters in-charge for the hard work done in achieving these milestones which signifies the commitment whilst having a balance life and upholding discipline.
Among the few notable achievements of St. Joseph’s College were their continuous success in swimming. The Joes have won All-Island Schools Swimming Championship for 15 years back-to-back.
In addition St. Joseph’s became champions in All-Island Under-19 two-day Cricket Tournament 2018, the Milo Under- 19 President’s Knockout Rugby Tournament in 2017, the All-Island Under-15 and Under-17 Basketball Tournaments in 2017 and the All-Island Under-19 and Under-15 Football Tournaments.
Rev. Fr. Rector Travis Gabriel thanked the members of the sports council and the advisory committee for the active role, they have taken in achieving excellence.