Laureus Sports Leaders Have Big Goals to Change the World

Johannesburg, April 2010

Two of the Seenigama Sports Project’s top sporting stars were invited to Johannesburg in April to take part in a Leadership exchange. Lakruwan, Seenigama Aquatic Club’s island wide Novices under 19 swimming champion who has big ambitions to swim for Sri Lanka, and Manuja, a member of the Seenigama Ladies Cricket team and Seenigama Volleyball team, were asked to take part because of the leadership they show in their sporting, community and home life.

The two set off, one humid morning, on a journey with many firsts. First escalator, first airport, first flight, first time using knife and fork, first time eating foreign food. They waved goodbye to their families and headed for an experience that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.

The visit was organised by the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation to bring together sports leaders from a number of its projects around the world. Mani and Lakruwan were to be joined at the Little Paradise Guest House, in the J’burg suburbs, by Sihle and Thabani from Indigo Skate Camp near Durban and from a Laureus sports project in the UK. Unfortunately the volcanic eruption in Iceland prevented the UK delegation from travelling, though this did mean that the group had the pleasure of the inspiring company of Bongi and Abongile from a touch rugby project in Soweto.

The previous week, a film crew had spent time in Seenigama, recording the day to day life of Lakruwan and Mani, both in their sport and at home. Throughout the stay in Johannesburg, the crew tracked the progress of the group, to show the world the difference that sport makes in the lives of even those who few opportunities to achieve their dreams especially affected by the tsunami and in the case of Mani who lost four sisters tragically on that fateful day.

Day 1: A visit to the Little Champs sports project in the township of Alexandra, where 3-5 yr olds learn coordination, fitness, balance, teamwork and self awareness through fun games and actsivities led by trained coaches and volunteers from the community. Lakruwan and Mani joined in the games and enjoyed the experience of being the visiting volunteers, where so many have come to Seenigama in a similar role.


In the afternoon, a walk through the tough alleys of Alexandra, where conditions are tough but with a real buzz of community life. This huge township is the location of one of Fifa’s Football Festival of Hope sports grounds, where football projects are being planned to bring children together from all over the world as part of the 2010 World Cup.

Day 2: A magical meeting with Formula 1 Champion Lewis Hamilton. The Laureus leaders plied him with questions, including techniques on how to win the forthcoming race the youngsters had been looking forward to. Lewis was keen to hear about the different projects and gave the group a lot of time despite his busy schedule.

After lunch, the real fun began, with a course in go-kart racing for the six leaders. For Lakruwan and Mani, the first time behind a wheel, and their request: please can we participate was the question to Kushil who was somewhat nervous since they had never seen a go-kart before! Despite the confidence of the others, Lakruwan somehow managed to win the race, despite a few crashes at corners early during the trials, and Mani made an amazing 3rd place. Imagine what opportunity can do and we never know unless they are given the chance to excel.

Meeting with the Laureus Chairman of Trustees former Athlete US Olympic Gold Medallist Edwin Moses was a significant moment which no doubt inspired these two youngsters in learning of his tremendous success.

Day 3: A team-building and learning day, including a visit to a Lion Park to learn about the animals of South Africa and an opportunity to get up close to the lion cubs.


Day 4: Into Soweto to see the Football World Cup 2010 stadium, Soccer City, and to visit schools and playing fields where Touch Rugby is used to teach local children vital life skills as well as sports skills to keep them fit, healthy and confident. They also got a chance to have a look at President Nelson Mandela’s house in this township 20 years ago.

This was amazing opportunity for Lakruwan and Mani, to see so much of the world on their first major trip out of the village. The lessons and experiences will stay with them for the rest of their lives and will be shared with their team mates in Seenigama. Thanks to the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, Vodaphone and Lewis Hamilton for making it all happen, and to the projects in Johannesburg for their hospitality.

The Foundation of Goodness believes that sport is a powerful force for change in the world. This visit is proof of the difference that sport can have on the lives of children despite poverty, tragedy and difficulty.

Lakruwan & Manuja were accompanied by Quen the British Volunteer who has been with the Foundation of Goodness for two years specializing in Management Development & Communications along with Kushil the Founder.

Quen, being very supportive of village children, was seen taking care of them like an older sister guiding them through this unbelievable experience empowering them at every given opportunity and their journey through the different airports, flights, hotels, meetings, events, meals and all they wanted to learn about South Africa. She was a good teacher who helped them immensely to comprehend many things they were seeing for the very first time. They were well looked after by her compassionate, kind and generous nature with lots of affection and meeting their requirements particularly pertaining to their choice of meals one being a vegetarian.

Kushil appreciated most gratefully the invitation Laureus Sport for Good Foundation in extending such an opportunity which at the end enables the rural youth to establish greater confidence to get ahead in life which is truly admirable and hugely praiseworthy. It is through partnerships of this nature that kids from remote backgrounds embark into the next level for greater success being motivated to transform their dreams into reality.

One cannot forget that a tragedy turned into a blessing has created the waves of success that we continue to experience because of the infrastructure and training facilities provided for the disadvantaged children who have taken advantage with their enormous skills and talent to convert into a better quality life style in achieving their aspirations.

2010.05.03