The 18-year-old Nethmi Ahinsa Poruthotage bagged the first medal on offer in Wrestling last week , as the youngster grabbed Bronze in the Women’s Freestyle 57kg event.The student of Welpalla Sangarathana Masha Vidyalaya, in Giriulla, Kurunegala returned home yesterday with her coach last morning from the Katunayake Airport where sports Ministry officials and Sri Lanka Wrestling Federation officials gathered to give her a warm welcome.
Nethmi Ahinsa Fernando Poruthotage speaking to the Daily News said she was able to create Sri Lankan Wrestling history by taking the first ever Commonwealth Games medal as well as becoming the youngest Sri Lankan athlete to win a Commonwealth medal in history.
She further said winning a medal at this Commonwealth Games gave her immense happiness. I couldn’t win the gold but I am determined to get an Olympic medal in future. If I am to win an Olympic medal I have to correct my mistakes as well as train hard to reach my target. Actually if I am to go to Olympics I have to take part in International rankings tournaments to improve my world rankings. My coach Suranga Kumara gave me good support to come to this level and looking forward to do well under his guidance. National Olympic Committee (NOC) and Sports Ministry as well as my school and coach and Wrestling Federation gave me maximum support to get this medal.
Actually my father is a mason by profession had financial problems but he gave me everything while my mother who is a housewife always backed me.
We had lot of difficulties but my parents provided me all the facilities.
Especially they gave all nutritious food but that was not luxury while jak fruit, manioc , and other nutritional foods and my coach helped to train me in a small way at his home despite limited facilities. I am very happy to bring honour to my country.
This medal is for all people of Sri Lanka and not for me hope to get their blessings in future to achieve success added Nethmi Ahinsa.
Meanwhile Derana Group Chairman Dilith Jayaweera has already promised to give a new house to Nethmi in the Kurunegala through the ‘Manusath Derana programme.
Dilith Jayaweera also promised to give monthly Rs. 50 000 allowance for nutritional foods. Dilith Jayaweera also said we are very keen to look after Nethmi’ s coach Suranga Kumara who gave fine support with limited facilities. We are discussing to make arrangements for the coach to fulfill his coaching qualifications and this type of athletes and coaches have to be supported to get more results in future, said Jayaweera.
The Sport Ministry Secretary Dr Amal Harsha de Silva said they have discussed with Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe to felicitate Commonwealth Games medal winners end of this week and to give cash awards from the Ministry. The Sports Ministry will continue to support the medal winners.
Nethmi Ahinsa’ s parents and family members, Sport Director General Amal Edirisooriya, and the senior officials of the Sports Ministry were present to welcome Nethmi Ahinsa’ and her coach yesterday morning.