Greetings from sports fans. Let me wish our cricket team good focus, pride and even better form for the absorbing challenge against the visiting Indians. Sri Lanka will need to outplay and stamp their class from the outset.

The promise of a 180 days of international cricket is mind numbing to say the least... spare a thought for our cricketers who have to prepare mind and body for the daunting but delightful challenge. Cricket fans here will be rushing about and licking their lips in anticipation.

Our country is just raising its competitive head and it is this that I wish to profile .... just to share the intel and dedication that makes playing for your country and wearing national colours , the ultimate achievement .... even today.

Let's remind ourselves of the last 60 days sports wide, The FIFA World Cup concluded in the most dramatic fashion... dragging billions of fans down to the wire and to the last 4 minutes of extra time.
Spain was destined to win, destined to take it from the Dutch who had more chances and failed to make it count.

Thank goodness Paul the expert octopus got one of his 8 tentacles on the right side ????
But what inspiration to see "Madiba"... Nelson Mandela take a victory lap, for winning the bid for Africa to showcase the greatest spectacle on earth. " It's Africa time... it's Africa's World Cup.. it's the Time for Africa to unite and show the world,” he said.

The dream of playing for young Thomas Mueller became more than reality when he was named young player of the world cup and the Golden boot for his 4 goal skill that destroyed Argentina to alter all our perceptions of the finals in South Africa.

Hard work, belief, dedication, sacrifice, commitment, the will to succeed and the joy of playing, the greatest example for all young footballers ... to set themselves up and believe in the dream, that will not happen overnight .." so be prepared to handle disappointment and days when you question why you want to play .. said a visibly jubilant German post awards.

Words of wisdom and reality for all young players... never give up on your dream, believe in your hearts that this is what you want to do, love to do and push past... that is what makes you a true talent combining your skill and ability adding to the whole frame, and making the dream a reality.
World cup football, Asia Cup cricket in Dambulla, Pro Surf World series in Arugambay... paradise found for sure, the 3rd Asian Junior Squash championship in Colombo - our world in Sri Lanka just got real and magically colourful.

It is our time to showcase this incredible island, take it to the world and stamp our traditional class with a new and driving desire. Thousands of Indian fans will hop across to make sport and its true universal language, the best way forward for Sri Lanka.

I say we grab it with both hands and throw ourselves at this opportunity wholeheartedly....let's not miss out on this platinum reality to change this country forever.