Beyond the Victory: The Siyabalagawewa School Volleyball Story

The spirit of sportsmanship, community, and sheer determination shone brightly for the Under-16 Volleyball team from Siyabalagawewa School recently. Having clinched the Provincial Championship, their next goal was to compete in the All-Island Tournament held in Badulla.

But the journey wasn’t a given.

A request for assistance went out, not just for the trip, but for a few days’ stay during the competition. For five of the students, coming from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, the lack of support meant their participation—and consequently, the team’s ability to compete—was hanging in the balance.

The response from the community was a heartwarming display of generosity. Thanks to the timely help received, the uncertainty vanished, and the team made it to Badulla.

A huge ‘Thank You’ is due to everyone who stepped up during that crucial time.

While a victory on the national stage wasn’t in the cards, the true achievement lies elsewhere. These young athletes returned enriched, having learned invaluable lessons about winning and losing. They experienced a level of competition they might never have accessed otherwise.

This post isn’t about the final score. It’s about recognizing the incredible, positive comments and intentions of those who donated. Their support, as they often emphasized, was focused on ensuring the team got there, not necessarily that they won.

Yet, the depth of their commitment was clear. I was deeply touched when many of these same well-wishers remembered the exact date of the competition—October 5th—and reached out to send their congratulations to the team. Their memory of the day was sharper than my own!

This entire experience, this journey of effort, community, and learning, is what we call Piku Pihi (Pirunu hisak – Pirunu kusak).

By: Dr. Kiloshini Hendawitharana