Brunei Remember Lakshman
By James Kon

Bandar Seri Begawan - Lakshman de Alwis, a former Brunei national athletics coach, who was credited of bringing up Brunei athletes to its highest point, was tragically killed in-a bomb blast in Wellweriya, Sri Lanka on Sunday.

The blast at the start of a marathon also killed 10 others including a senior Lanka minister and over 100 wounded.

Former national athletes and current coaches are in shock after news of the tragedy filtered in as Lakshman was known for his kindness and passion for athletics. Assistant coach of athletics, Awang Mohd Shah Johan bin Haji Shari said: "I cried when I found out he was gone, its very hard to describe howl feel. I feel like I lost a father."

"I remember Lakshman as a coach that always motivates and pushes me to do my best. He picks me up for training and back home and he also helps me to gain a job under the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports," Awang Mohd Shah recalled. "He was a very kind and helpful person and motivated many athletes to further their studies. Many local coaches were he products of Lakshman.

Under Lakshman, Brunei Darussalam's athletes achieved numerous feats in the SEA Games namely a silver medal in the 4x400m in 1995 and a bronze medal in high jump by Alma in the 1999 SEA Games hosted by Brunei Darussalam.

National records were broken in I OOm, 200m, 400m and 4x100m during his six years (1995-2001) stint as the Brunei national coach. A former national athlete AzrinAji who is now an officer in the Sport School also shares the grief.

"He is a great coach and a good mentor. We would like to convey our prayers to his family in Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, Lim Chee Wee, the assistant coach of strength and conditioning unit said: "Although he was not my coach, we are saddened to hear the sad news that he has gone."

"I knew him in 1995 when he took care of us when our coach was not around. He gave us training in skills. To me he was a very kind and approachable person who took no nonsense on the track."

The head coach of strength and conditioning, IM Ranasinghe who used to train under Lakshman in Sri Lanka said: "It's a big loss to Sri Lanka and for me personally. He is a man with a very big heart and great personalities."

"He is a man who stays close to my heart and it was a shock that something like this has happened." Ranasinghe also said of the many sacrifices Lakshman made to help train national athletes.

"He gave rile the light to go on in my sport career and he is like a father to me when 1 needed guidance, he is always there for me." "He was supposed to retire from coaching, however his passion has driven him back to being the Sri Lanka national coach at the Sri Lanka's Ministry of Sport till the day he was killed."

"We will always remember Lakshman as a man of great passion in athletics and with a big heart. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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