The battle for the M.N. Edirisooriya trophy between Ladies College and Vishaka Vidyalaya concluded recently at the Police Pool Complex. Vishaka Vidyalaya emerged victorious for the fourth consecutive time. Out of the Vishakian outfit Limashi Kosgodage stood out scoring a hat-trick when she took the wind off the Ladies sails bringing home and emphatic victory.
This young lady shared her story of success with ThePapare.com.
1. How did you start your water-polo career?
My brother Lakshitha Kosgodage was a water-polo player for S.Thomas` College so since my younger age it was an often dinner topic in the family. I used to go for his matches and watch him play and how he enjoyed the sport. I think it was then I started to love the sport and tried to fit in to the passion that my brother enjoyed. I first started to play water-polo in the year 2005 for the school team.
2. How was the support you got from your family?
It was exceptional I must say. They took me to practices and also made sure to come pick me up right after practices. They were behind my career to point where I felt it as too much because they were there watch every match giving me food, water and all the necessities. Yet, now I believe I would have never being such a good water-polo player without that exceptional support.
3. What are your feelings and emotions of representing the Vishaka Vidyalaya water-polo team?
Actually it was a good experience representing the Vishaka Vidyalaya water-polo team. I say this because I have played badminton, netball, synchro, swimming to my school as well. So I always compare the experience that I gained from the four other sports and water-polo. There is a difference between a water-polo team because we always stick together no matter what. There is always this discipline I see in water-polo where I do not see in any other sport. It was my dream representing it and it was equally and exceptional experience.
4. Turning back, to the season how pleased are you about the performance of you team?
I was the captain of the team in the year 2012 and we had an unbeaten season. Both junior and senior age categories.. We managed to maintain the unbeaten streak in the following year 2013 as well, until we lost the semi-finals this year against Bishops College at age groups. So when considering the overall performance I can say that we have performed at the very best level without doubt.
5. The LC BC and LC VV are the two important encounters in the calendar for the team. You scored the most number of goals in both – 7 goals. What makes you such a good ball carrier and how was the support you got from your team?
There is this saying which I believe in that if there is a perfect shot then there is a perfect pass. So though I shot a total of seven goals in both the encounters I must say all the players in the pitch did play their roles in a fine manner drawing in the defenders and creating me the space for the shot. Especially Captain Aneka Abeywickrama and the Vice-Captain Nuwanthi Mananpperuma have been supporting me throughout.
6. You have been winning the LC VV encounter for three years prior to this win. The school girls and the spectators will obviously build up immense expectations towards you and the team. Tell us about the pressure that you faced before the match?
I cannot say that there wasn’t any pressure as such in me and the team. Yet, the difference between our water-polo team and the rest of the contenders is that we share the pressure equally among the rest of the team members. We have a group conversation on whatsapp messenger and we talk throughout the night before the match day and the following day in the morning we all gathered up to the skipper’s house and the rest of the day there. So I think, it helped us a lot to dismount the pressure that was upon us and instead were able to plan out what we are going to do during the game time.
7. What was your most memorable achievement in water-polo?
Well there have been memorable achievements in my carrier but the memory that will stand out will be this incident which happened in the year 2012. I was the skipper of the team and we were playing the finals of the National Championships against Navy SC. We have seven seconds remaining in the clock and the scoreboard read seven all. My coach trusted me to shoot off the last goal and I did manage to score it off and etch the winning line. That was probably the most memorable achievement in my whole carrier.
8. Who is your favorite water-polo player and why?
Internationally I do not idolize anyone. My one and only favorite player is my brother. I have seen him playing, how he prepares before the match simply I have seen it all. When considering all the things that I have witnessed he will always be my favorite and he is my only inspiration.
9. How do you balance water-polo and studies?
Well I guess it`s not just studies, I was also the head prefect of Vishaka Vidyalaya. I did not attend to any extra classes until my ordinary level exams. It was my mother who helped me with the studies teaching me and all. When I started my advanced level course I did reduce my sports for a short period. It was a huge help from the teachers as well in regard with this matter. I stopped my water-polo practices for six months and commenced again ahead of the two encounters. So with that I believe that I have done fair job balancing both the ends.
10. What are your future plans?
My future plan is to be an economist. I have already started my higher studies. I would not speak about my future plans on the sport as I do not carry anything as such with it. As the reason for it I would say that I don’t feel like playing for any other club other than my school. The passion that I enjoyed playing for my school I don’t think I will find it elsewhere.
11. Finally, words of gratitude?
I would like to thank my parents Indrasiri Fernando and Gayanthika Fernando. My brother Lakshitha Kosgodage. My first coach, Thanura Abeywardhana and the other coaches Sanjaya Fernando and Rovini Illukubura. Further to Zafar Zainudeen and to my present coaches Dakshitha Thamanegama and Rasiru Ranaraja. Then my national coaches Malaka Chandradasa, Awnee Razak. The Principal of Vishaka Vidyalaya Mrs. Sandamali Aviruppola, the Deputy Pricnipla and to the teacher in charge. The water-polo parents for all the support and the old girls, all my friends, everyone at school who supported and finally my amazing team.
ThePapare.com wishes this young lady the best of luck.
