ThePapare.com met up with Sri Lanka’s young Ambassador at the 2nd Youth Olympic Games to be held in Nanjing China this August Ishika De Silva as she prepares for this once in a life time opportunity.
Ishika Amritha De Silva started off her Rowing career at the age of 14 at one of the leading girls schools in Sri Lanka, Musaeus College, Colombo. Having chosen a sport which was popular in the school and which had made a name for itself in the Local schools rowing arena Ishika said it was just a past time which eventually grew on her.
At Musaeus College she has won many races and awards, her highlight being, winning the B ‘double scull’ and B ‘four’ at the Ladies – Musaeus annual regatta in 2010. Ishika who switched schools from Musaeus College to the Asian International School to complete her London Advance level examination was quick to catch the eye by achieving success at AIS too. In 2011 she won the best school girls’ sculler and the silver medal for open single sculls and silver in the under 18 double scull category at the Rowing Nationals that year while in the following year she tasted gold in the U18 single scull and bronze in U18 double scull events.
Rowing for the Colombo rowing Club this ebullient athlete once again entered the limelight by winning many events from club regatta’s to National regattas. At the 75th Madras-Colombo Regatta held in Madras in 2012 she won the women’s single scull and the double scull events which also were the only two winning events of the women’s category at the 75th edition of the prestigious event. In 2013 at the ARAE/FEARA regatta held in the Philippines Ishika came second in the single scull event only losing by a millisecond but, came first in the single scull event at the regatta. Also in the year 2013 she won Gold at the Open Single Scull and Open Double scull races respectively which helped the Colombo Rowing Club win the Overall title at the National Rowing Championships in 2013.
The Youth Olympic Games is an event which is to take place for the second consecutive time for the young athletes who are between the ages of 16-18 which is to be held in Nanjing China this August. The previous edition was held last year in Singapore with about 30 odd Young Ambassadors taking part. This year however 104 young Ambassadors were selected to represent each participating country and given the fact that Ishika is currently holding the Open National champion title and based on her academic achievements and English proficiency, she was selected as the Sri Lankan Young Ambassador for the 2nd Youth Olympic Games 2014. With her will be the Sri Lanka delegation of 8 Athletes representing 4 sports along with the support staff.
The role of the Young Ambassador is to make sure that all these athletes experience all aspects of the Games and not only focus on sports. To enlighten them about the other activities and help organize them depending on the free times of the Athletes as the games possesses another element in addition to the sports. That is the Cultural and Education Program; where the athletes will be offered many delightful insights about being an Olympian and also about sports and education, for an example, how to balance many activities, how to help build a team etc.
In preparation for the YOG Ishika made a visit to the Olympic city for a briefing conference in March 2014. Sharing her thoughts on a more personal note she said “I for one got to make 103 new friends from all over the world who shared the same passion for sport as I do. I was able to proudly talk about my country and show them our talents”.
De Silva who is currently reading for her Bachelors in degree in Economics and Management said she always tries to balance both fields and in this case “it paid off because I had to be well rounded to be selected carry this status”.
When asked of how she felt regarding this programme and her being appointed as a Young Ambassador for the YOG she said “I get to represent my country which is a great honor. And I had a dream come true of attending an Olympic Games in my life. An Olympic games is the highest level any athlete can reach. For our country to get our young athletes to participate in such an event would be the foundation for all these young athletes training at that level from now on to maybe one day take part at in an Olympic Games and win. Which would be a great for the sport aspect in our country”
Finally ThePapare.com would like to extend our sincere wishes to this young and aspiring athlete and her delegation to bring back glory to the motherland.
