Hashini Samarawickrema is no stranger to sports and there is no other sport bigger than rugby that gives her so much passion.
Hashini was one of the stars in the CR and FC women’s team that contested their Centenary Sevens last week and sees herself as someone who can make it further up the ladder after giving up Wushu, a sport affiliated to the martial arts family.
Having witnessed her brother play rugby for Peliyandala Central College, it did not take long for Hashini to take to the oval shaped ball.
But what Hashini needs now is not really the motivation which runs in her veins, but the support of sponsors who can ensure she will be able to cherish all her dreams as the girl who can be the face and the future of women’s rugby that is said to be the fastest growing sport in the world.
“Not being selected for the Wushu Asian Games was the biggest disappointment of my life. But I think that was the turning point for me to get into rugby”, said Hashini in an interview with the Sunday Observer.
It was the right switch-over for Hashini as she found herself touring Dubai after captaining her school team (Peliyandala Central College) to win the all-island Under-16 Milo championship in 2019.
Excerpts of the interview:
Q: Describe yourself in one word?
Strong girl
Q: Who has influenced you the most?
My parents, coach and school teachers
Q. What made you choose sports?
My brother played rugby.
I’ve been watching his matches since childhood and have been passionate about the sport ever since
Q: Any words or phrases you overuse?
Love yourself
Q: What is your most marked characteristic?
Getting angry all the time is my most marked characteristic
Q: What is the most important thing in your life?
Rugby and family
Q: If you could edit your past, what would you change?
There is nothing I would change
Q: Are you fashionable?
No
Q: What motivates you in your life?
My mother
Q: If you could choose any career right now, what would it be?
Sports consultant
Q: If you had access to a time machine what would you change?
Participating in what was missing in my school life
Q: What forms of music do you listen to?
Classical music
Q: What’s the best thing you would like to hear from someone?
I would like to hear about my good deeds as well as my faults
Q. Thus far what was your most unforgettable sporting incident?
I was the captain of the team in 2019 and we won the U-16 All island Milo Championship. We got a tour to Dubai for winning that championship. It was the most unforgettable sporting incident
Q: What has been your biggest disappointment?
Not being selected for the Wushu Asian Games was the biggest disappointment of my life. But I think that was the turning point for me to get into rugby
Q: Most important lesson life has taught you?
To be in harmony with everyone