Piyal, Hiran and Nawaff for World Masters Games 2005

THE largest multi-sport event in the world, the 6th World Masters Games in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada is a place for former elite athletes to experience all the pageantry and personal achievements of an international multi-sport event once again.

A Master is a person who practices the "sport for life" philosophy. Most participants are those who have represented their country at the highest level of their respective sports. Piyal Hewage, Hiran Ukwatte and Nawaff Mubarak will do their country proud when they participate in swimming events at the World Masters Games this year which will be held from July 22-31.

Piyal Hewage is a former Royal College Waterpolo Captain and swimmer. He has represented his country in waterpolo on a number of occasions. This includes the 1995 Asian Waterpolo Championships in Thailand and the India-Lanka Swimming and Waterpolo Championships.

He is the former Otter Aquatic Club waterpolo and Club captain who has led his club to many waterpolo and swimming championships. Piyal has taken part in swimming at the 1994 Australian Masters Games, 1998 England Masters Games, 1999 New Zealand Masters Games and 1999 Australia Masters Games winning a number of medals.

Piyal has also actively participated in Rugby Football, Table Tennis and Basketball during his school tenure. He has represented his country in the junior national team in table tennis during his schooling years and after he was actively involved in Life-Saving for his club.

Piyal will be taking part in the age group of 36-40 at this year's Masters Games. His events include Freestyle, Breaststroke, Backstroke and Butterfly.

Hiran Ukwatte is a former Nalanda College Waterpolo, Swimming and Life Saving Captain. He is a former waterpolo captain and currently the club captain of Otter Aquatic Club. Hiran earned his bronze medal in lifesaving and was a former chief superintendent of competition and water-safety controller.

He was the youngest schoolboy who was awarded the gold medal for lifesaving. Hiran has taken part in swimming at the 1999 New Zealand Masters Games and 1999 Australia Master's Games winning a total of two gold, four silver and three bronze medals in total.

Hiran has actively taken part in swimming, waterpolo and lifesaving for both his school and club. He will be taking part in the age group of 30-35 at this year's Masters Games. His events include Freestyle, Breaststroke, Backstroke and Butterfly.

Nawaff Mubarak is an Old Thomian who captained three sports for his Alma Mater, namely Swimming and Diving, Waterpolo and Soccer.

He has represented his country in a number of international waterpolo tournaments overseas from 1995 to 2000 which includes the Asia Pacific Waterpolo Championships in Hong Kong 2000. He is a FINA qualified waterpolo coach and referee who coached the champion S.Thomas' College and Vishaka Vidyalaya waterpolo teams from 1999 to 2004.

He was also appointed as the honorary waterpolo coach at Otter Aquatic Club for two seasons, for which he was actively involved in playing the game from 1999-2004. He was appointed as the head waterpolo coach for the Sri Lanka Junior National team that participated in the Asian Championships in 2001.

Nawaff was also a member of the junior national swimming squad for the 1995 Asia Pacific Swimming and Diving Championships and the 1997 Sri Lanka Schools Soccer squad. He will be taking part in the Breaststroke and Freestyle events at the Games this year. His age group is between 25-30.

The Edmonton 2005 World Masters Games will be conducted with the support and endorsement of the International Sports Federations, and delivered by the Edmonton and Alberta Sporting Associations. The Games are held under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee, and the International Masters Games Association is recognized by that committee.