It’s not in the field that the pressure is greatest. It’s in the changing room ten minutes before the big game. When months of hard work is about to be put to the test. It’s when you need to sit down for a bit and look at the faces around you. With you. Each and every member of your team, sacrificing everything for this moment. Each one standing tall with their heads held high as the crowd outside lets out scream after scream, cheering your team. Cheering you.
Where after a month of orientation; from learning about the numerous departments and societies of the Faculty of Science, to learning English and second language Tamil/Sinhala, we embarked on the first few weeks of our academic journey at the University of Colombo. We stepped into life as students of the University of Colombo. We’ve made new friends, learned new things and embarked on paths that were absolutely new to everyone.
Sports was one such path. From starting out as novices to slowly developing our skills, it was both a hard and at the same time joyous road we took. From waking up to be at the grounds by 6:00 a.m. to practicing at the gym till 7:00 p.m. Right to joining your team for a sip of tea at the open canteen after practices and shouting out as we played matches against the batches above us.
Well it’s all come down to this.
This is the big moment you’ve all been waiting for. Whether you are a participant of the games or a member of the crowd, you are a part of this glamorous event, the Inter-Faculty Freshers’ Tournament 2019. From the first rays of sunshine on the 29th of March, till the onset of twilight on the 30th of April this is where everyone becomes a part of the team, in heart and soul. This is when your team is not just a few dozen, but a few hundred.
Go ahead, look at the faces of your team mates. Each and every one reflects your own expression. You’ve thrown individuality out and have risen together as a team, each one boosting the other up until you not only stand strong alone, but are invincible together. Stand up! It’s time you make your move!
You’re at the point of no return and it’s time to justify all those voices shouting from outside! Every team mate, opponent and spectator has left a lesson for you to learn. It’s time to solidify the hopes of not five hundred, but over two thousand students yet again, for another year. It’s time to prove how important all the blood, sweat and tears you’ve put into this is. It’s time to give it everything you’ve got!
Take one last look at the changing room as you step out of it together with your team. This is your moment to take the field, challenge your opponents, and respectfully defeat them in the game that you love. This is your time! Go ahead and do your best as every one of us stand and bring our hands together, cheering you on till the very end!
By Dasith Thilakarathne