Unity in diversity at British High Commission Games

Ishara JAYAWARDANE

Celebrating the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympics Games, weeks away, the British High Commission in Colombo hosted The British High Commission Games at Westminster House on Friday.

The event brought alive the fierce competitive spirit of the Olympics and its message of unity in diversity.

Those gathered in the Westminster House garden included disabled sportsmen and women from Colombo and Vavuniya; disabled soldiers and former LTTE members; contenders for the London 2012 Paralympics and Olympics; officials from the Sports Ministry; members of the National Olympic and Paralympic Committees; and British High Commission staff.

“I am glad to see such a diverse gathering of sportsmen and sportswomen and supporters.This signifies one of the most remarkable qualities of sports – it brings people together and gives them a common language – people from all walks of life with different stories to tell. Sports help people move beyond their differences,” British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka John Rankin said.

“It helps people understand each others perspectives; it builds self worth and team spirit,” he said.

The High Commissioner said sports help those who were once in conflict with each other to look beyond what once divided them and focus on what now unites them.

“This is the very essence of peace that Sri Lanka and many other nations today are working towards. The United Kingdom will continue to support Sri Lanka in its efforts to build a sustainable peace – a peace that accepts and embraces people of different backgrounds, just like the Olympic and Paralympic spirit.”