“Taking part in sports is a great prospect for every student. Do not be afraid to get involved in it. If you have any talent for sports, take it up. Sports can help to calm your mind and help achieve educational targets too. We can say that sports is a smart ladder to commence your run to your targets. I think you can find several people as role models in the world of sports,” Mihiliya Methsarani told the Youth Observer recently.
Methsarani reigned as the Queen of Squash for several years. She is now studying in the United States and met us while back home on holiday and gave an update about her life.
“I have been in the USA since 2018 studing physiology and it is my favourite subject. It is an unforgettable achievement in my life. However, I would never forget my sport. I will represent my country for as long as possible. I know the limitations of a woman’s life. A woman must think of many things and one day must create a strong family too. It is our tradition. But, as long as I am able to play, I wish to use my talents for the country,” said Mihiliya.
She represented Sri Lanka at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. She became the first Sri Lankan squash player to qualify for the final round at an international squash tournament after qualifying for the plate final round during the women’s singles. However, unfortunately, she lost in the final.
Thus, everyone knew her as a heroine of Sri Lankan squash and she was also named as the Squash Queen in the country.
Mihiliya Methsarani is twenty-two-years-old. But she is very knowledgeable and intelligent than most youth of her age.
An old girl of Sirimavo Bandaranaike College, Mihiliya was born in 1998 and lives in Panadura. Her father is a Chief Inspector in the police service.
“I belong to a lower-middle-class family and am a younger daughter. My father continues to go to work while my mother is a housewife. I have one sister and she is an influence on my squash playing. She too played squash and became a novices champion. But she decided to concentrate on her studies and gave up the sport. However, I love the game and bind with it day-by-day.
I was lucky to win the Junior and Senior National Championships and represent my country too,” Mihiliya said happily.
She started playing squash when she was seven and won her first junior title when she was nine. “I went to international events as an individual and many of them were ranking games. It was a good chance to develop my skills”.
Several sports including squash has been affected by family politics and how has it affected you?
She laughingly spoke of the early days of her career when she had to face the problem of family politics.
“It is a common problem in sports in our country. Nevertheless, we cannot escape it. However, I strongly believe that talent can solve any problem. I also believe in the famous proverb ‘Actions speak louder than words’ and will follow it for the rest of my life.
The Youth Observer asked about her experiences in the States. It is completely different from Eastern culture. They think about their fitness seriously. Whether a sportsman or not, every youth tries to keep fit. But it is totally different in our country. Their culture has different values and behaviour than our values and behaviour,” she said.
How do Eastern players compare with Western ones?
“I think we are equal in talent or skills. But I must emphasise above all they try to keep fit. Every youth tries to follow a fitness schedule. It is very different compared to Sri Lanka. Other than that difference, we can match their talent, she said.
“Painting is another of my talents, but no one knows about it. I received awards for art while in school. However, because of my pet game, squash, I have not had a chance to develop my painting skills. I can bake well too. During the Covid -19 lockdown I baked cakes and treated my friends and relations,” Mihiliya said.
“Finally, I like to tell the youth never give up good things easily. Always keep your mind sharp and try to achieve your ambitions. Hobbies are good to de-stress your mind. Without sports or art, you cannot achieve your goals,” Mihiliya said.