I was counting the days to be at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games since the day I was selected to the Dream Together Master Degree Program. Wow! The day had come very sooner than we thought. The ‘Dream Team’ of DTM — 5th batch students left for a three-day Winter Olympics preparation experience to PyeongChang early in the morning on 10 Jan 2018 with which was arranged by the DTM office.
When we arrived in PyeongChang Promotional Booth, we were welcomed by one of the International Olympic Committee staff. She opened up the day with a brief introduction of PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics and screened us all the winter games in a 3D wide screen. My colleagues enjoyed photo-shoot with the mascots, Olympic Torch, and Arenas as it was our very first Olympic experience to most of us. Then, we were taken to Alpensia Resort to check in a hotel, our stay there for a couple of nights. Since Alpensia Resort was one of the four major Olympic sports venues and VIP’s hotels, it was very fortunate us to learn more about the Olympic environment during our stay.
Sigo prepares Korean Buckwheat Pancake at Korean food cooking class
Olympics has always a combination of sports, education, and tradition and culture. So, learning about the host country’s tradition was also part of our trip. Therefore, afternoon session was planned to learn how to prepare Korean traditional food — Buckwheat Pancake. We were heading to a Korean food cooking class which has organic food items and a bakery itself. First, an instructor introduced us the ingredients to make the pancake and she demonstrated each steps. Now, the time was given to us to prepare ourselves. Everyone had enjoyed the preparation of the pancake and which tasted delicious, since then it has become my most favourite Korean food too.
DTM always provides us incredible opportunities which create unforgettable memories. The second day was planned to practice outdoor winter sports, snowboarding or skiing at Yongpyeong Resort. First we drove to the ski and snowboard rental shop to rent clothes, headgears and equipments. We were divided into two groups and a couple of lessons were demonstrated by instructors who taught us very basic skills to move on the very slight slide mountains. At the very beginning it was really challenging and taught us different experience as the weather was too cold, -19’c. But the beautiful mountain atmosphere and a very funny incident made us forget the weather which was experience of controlled sliding down a snow-covered slope. At the end of the day, most of us did well snowboarding or skiing after many falls.
The students had the experience of wearing a virtual reality headset
PyeongChang 2018 is so called ‘IT Olympics’ as the fifth-generation wireless network which is 100 times faster than 4G, made its worldwide debut in this Olympics. When we entered into the PyeongChang ICT Experience Center, we felt that we were in another world. World‘s first 5th generation mobile communication, Convenient Internet of things, Ultra High Definition touching hearts, Smart artificial intelligence, and a fun Olympics with virtual reality were the five cutting-edges of this ICT technologies. This ICT visit gave me a different feeling, so I hope that this will make a huge different in the globe.
Watching Olympic Games live from the venues is like tasting a slice of chocolate cake, rather watching on screens. DTM announced for another trip to watch Luge and Curling which was my most awaited day in my life. Since it was the very first Olympics to most of us, we were waiting with so much of excitements, fortunately, which was a medal event. Olympic Athletes from Russia and Norway had participated in that event at Gangneung Curling Centre and Norway had won the Bronze medal at the end. After the game, we were hanging around the Olympic Area where we specifically visited to a Souvenir shop, Tokyo 2020 House, Olympic Partners’ Exhibition Centers, and Spectators’ Restaurant where we had our lunch. These visits offered us a great chance to learn about the facility management in and out of the venues.
DTM students are ready for the Skiing Lesson at YongPyeong Resort
Our evening session was arranged to be in PyeongChang where we visited to Medal Plaza, opening and closing ceremonies main arena and saw some exhibitions too. Then, we got ready to watch Luge Women’s Singles Run 3 & 4 at Olympic Sliding Centre. Even there was a massive crowd and too cold, the volunteers and staff did a great job in clearing the security check-in quickly. Luge — A bullet speed game encouraged us to roar whenever the athletes passed us. Since we moved here and there to watch the games, it made us to meet and mingle with thousands of global Olympic fans in the venue. Actually it is fun to learn from them about their culture as well as share ours which is the big part of the Olympic ideals as well.
Overall, the games have been generally super fun and the atmosphere has also been good and getting into and out of all of the venues. I would say PyeongChang2018 is great Olympics mixed with culture, Korean hospitality, technology and scenic beauty of the atmosphere.
I’m sure this kind of Olympic preparation experience and games watching experience taught us many things to enhance our knowledge to be smart in organising mega events in our future career. We, 5th DTM are very fortunate and DTM provides always plenty of opportunities, but this is one of the most excited and important ones to our career.
University of Jaffna Basketball Court at 6.30 a.m. on Nov 14, 2016
The new day has come, rushing towards the University of Jaffna playground just for a work-out. There were various coloured balls scattered here and there around the basketball court. I found that they were fully wetted in the last night rain. It seemed like the balls were feeling dazzling by the overnight rain and asking me to save from the adverse climate. Also, I could hear from them that “Use Me… Keep Me… and RESPECT Me…”. I just brought all together and listened to their emotional stories. Ball say “we are bearing the hits by your strong hands, kicks by your irony legs and respecting you all as per the Olympic value — RESPECT. Nothing is ruled or written to me to be respected to the athletes, but we do follow even we do not have soul or sense; but you…?”
There are two equally important aspects of respect that should be taught to children through sport — Self-respect and Respect for Others. Here, respect for others does not mean only to the human. So, my dear athletes and coaches, it is your responsibility to respect to your sport environment and equipment as you respect each other in person. As an energetic young generation it is also part of your sport and should take the values very seriously to make a better world.
“I really appreciate Sri Lanka for your great support while I was in the UN Office.”
— BAN, KI-MOON”
SiGo with Ban, Ki-Moon
Hon. Ban Ki-Moon, the 8th Secretary-General of United Nations was invited for a public speech by the Graduate School of International Studies of the Seoul National University on 26 March 2018. Ban, Ki-Moon received his Bachelor in International Relations Degree from Seoul National University in 1970. Then, he earned his Master of Public Administration degree from Harvard University.
Ban delivered a talk on “Peace on the Korea Peninsula in a Changing International Order — Asia and the World. This was his very first address in his alma mater in Seoul. He was mainly talking about climate changes, sustainable development goals, unification of Korea and the issues and economic challenges in the reunification. During his address, he proudly mentioned Sri Lanka that a Sri Lankan young woman (27 Years old) is currently working as UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth. Actually, Ms Jayathma Wickramanayake from Sri Lanka was appointed in June 2017 as the Envoy on Youth by the current United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres next to a Jordanian.
At the end of his talk, he recalled Prof. Stephen Hawking’s quote “Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious. And however difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at. It matters that you don’t just give up” and further he motivated the students, “Dear students, please ‘NEVER-GIVE-UP’ and striving to create a more peaceful and sustainable world forward; let us work together to make this world better for all of us and our succeeding generation”.
After the session, I had an opportunity to congratulate him during the photo session. When I introduced me as a Sri Lankan, he told me that I am really happy and appreciating Sri Lanka for your great supports and helps during my term in the UN office. That was the proudest moment to me to hear such a great word from the greatest person!
Dream Together Master and Mexican Taekwondoist Arturo Rolando Álvarez Cárdenas, also known as Randy among his peers aspires to see Mexico’s flag at the Olympics and the World Taekwondo Championships one day under his coaching. Mexico has seven medals to show from the past five Olympic Games with one of them being Gold.
Randy completed his master’s degree in Global Sport Management from the Seoul National University last December. Randy is a former national Taekwondo champion at the junior level. His father is a former Olympian who participated in Taekwondo at the Summer Olympic Games in Seoul 1988. Randy’s father is an eighth Dan Taekwondo coach of the National Team of Policemen and Firemen in Mexico. Randy’s father’s passion and motivation in Taekwondo inspired his son to follow in his footsteps.
Randy started his Taekwondo journey in 1995 at a tender age of four and has won a number of championships in Mexico. It is every athlete’s dream to represent his country and Randy has already done that. In 2008 Randy represented Mexico at the World Junior Championships in Izmir, Turkey.
As someone that has donned national team colours at the big stage, Randy’s father and some of Mexico’s taekwondo enthusiasts established a federation in 2014 to support the National Federation to identify talented athletes especially from the police and fire department in Mexico. Randy has since been appointed a manager and is one of the proud co-founders of the organisation.
Talking to me this morning, Randy said, “I chose South Korea to study sports as well as to learn more about Taekwondo, a sport Koreans cherish so much. During the DTM program, I have learnt a lot from the professors and my classmates. I had a great opportunity to attend a two-week 2018 WT Partnership Taekwondo Program in Taekwondowon in Muju where I met many taekwondoists and widened my network. During the program, I camped in Muju and learned new taekwondo skills from there as well. This experience inspired me to officially start our dream federation in Mexico today.”
“I strongly believe that I can help my dad to produce more internationally recognised athletes from Mexico. My dream is to become a team national coach and see my Mexican flag at the World Taekwondo Championships and Olympic podia sooner rather than later” Randy said.
2018 WT Partnership Taekwondo Program participants and Randy with his DTM classmate, Ali Suliman
Author: SiGo and Editor: Derrick Ntege | Wednesday, February 08, 2019
1. Can you first tell us how you became exposed to sports?
My childhood is a bit different from many kids out there having grown up in war-torn Sri Lanka. It was at 24 that I witnessed peace for the first time in my life. Interestingly, the sport has always been a part of me, no sooner had I enrolled for university than I was handed the responsibility of coaching the athletics team.
It was here that I made up for my childhood, I was like a kid in a candy store. I played athletics, hockey, basketball, tennis, cricket, and Elle — a Sri Lankan traditional sport similar to baseball.
I represented the University of Jaffna with pride at national level competitions and captained both the Athletics and Hockey teams.
My charismatic character saw me become Editor, Secretary, and President of the University Sports Council for three years, a first in the history of the university.
I scooped the ‘Best Sportsman of the Year’ accolade at the university in 2011. On top of that, I donned Sri Lanka University colors and broke numerous records while at it.
I can proudly say that I led the university to three successive championships at the national level in 2009, 2010, and 2011- this record still stands — HISTORY!
My passion for Athletics has seen me become a National Technical Official. As we speak, I am the only individual in Sri Lanka with all four levels of the required credentials. I have the highest score in the country too. Before I forget, I am one of the youngest National Technical Officials in Sri Lanka.
2. What were some of your dreams as a child, and how did they change as you become older?
Honestly speaking, I was not a very privileged child. Seeing tomorrow was always a dream because of the bombs and gunshots going off every minute in the country. My life was about surviving bomb blasts, artillery shells, military attacks and so many other things. As soon as the war ended, I wanted to promote peace.
I gave up my profession in the classroom as a statistics lecturer and opted to use sport to promote peace in my community. I started a sports foundation and we celebrate the International Day of Sport for Development Peace (IDSDP) every year on April 6th.
3. While growing up, what was one thing that you wished was different about your country in the sports industry. This could be anything starting from family attitudes, government support, and so on.
The region I come from was war-ravaged, we could not represent Sri Lanka however much we wanted. The talent was there in plenty that’s a fact but could not go to the capital in Colombo for competitions, we were denied the opportunity. Things have since changed now that there is no war.
I just wish this was how things were from inception.
4. After you came to SNU DTM, how did your perspective towards sports and the sport industry change?
Prof. Kang congratulates SiGo on the graduation — 17 December 2018
It changed by a country mile, it was an amazing feeling I must say! I felt like I was in another world. Sharing the same space with so many different cultures and nationalities is a great feeling.
Studying with 23 different sports aficionados who later became family in a developed country like South Korea will live long in my memory. The Winter Olympic Games changed my perspective on the sport. I now look at things differently. Since then, my goals have changed.
Earlier, my thoughts were within my community, but after I came to DTM, I built a global network that helps me until today. I am confident that we can achieve big things together in the future with this tremendous network.
5. Now, that you are a sport administrator, how do you think you are changing the sport industry in your country?
After my internship at World Taekwondo, I have been involved in many sport development activities. NOC Sri Lanka did not have proper a website and social media presence. After my appointment as Marketing and Media Manager, things have taken a turn for the better.
We now have LinkedIn and Instagram platforms. I can authoritatively tell you that NOC Sri Lanka’s Facebook page is one of the best social media compared to many other NOCs. It’s right up there!
A Happy pose of SiGo and Prof. Borja from NOC Sri Lanka in July 2019 after the successful research
The documentation procedure was also wanting. I have been working day and night to change this. For instance, the organizational structure development, four-year strategic plan, standard forms for office documentation procedures, designing a new marketing emblem, and redesigning the NOC crest that recently got approved from IOC has all been the work of the man you are talking to right now. For decades, this work has been pending but since I joined, all is well.
I played a key role in bringing DTM’s Prof. Borja Garcia to do research on ‘collaborations between the National Olympic Committee and public authorities.’ A report has since been submitted to the IOC in order to reform and modernize the legal framework.
While I was doing my internship at World Taekwondo, I developed a program for Sri Lanka dubbed ‘Road to Champion.’ This, to empower the destitute children through taekwondo. Dr. Chungwon Choue, the President of World Taekwondo visited Sri Lanka in January 2020 to launch the project and the GCS Sri Lanka chapter was also inaugurated to run humanitarian activities in the country with the support of GCS International in South Korea.
I have been volunteering as a Project Manager at the Teqball Federation of Sri Lanka. Within six months, a National Federation was established. It is now recognized by both the Sri Lankan Government and the mother body. I single-handedly worked on all there is to make sure this happens.
Now, I am working on getting support from the mother body, we have already received funding of 25,000 USD worth of tables which we have distributed around Sri Lanka for the development of sports and promote values in society especially peace, friendship, and inclusion.
6. Can you tell us about Road to Championship Project? How did you first think about this project, and how has it impacted your country?
Dr. Choue, WT President shakes hands with SiGo in South Korea after the internship at WT in February 2019 and after the Launching of the Road to Champion in Sri Lanka in January 2020
Internship at World Taekwondo (WT) were red-letter days in my life, I gained a lot of experience and that has been life-changing. On the first day of my internship, I was tasked to develop a proposal to launch a Taekwondo development project — ‘Road to Champion’ in Sri Lanka.
When I stepped into the WT, my dream was to use this opportunity to develop and promote the sport in Sri Lanka — it has become reality!
The project was already in place but it was not functioning as it was supposed to. I made a few amendments to the project and communicated with Sri Lanka Taekwondo Federation to launch the project.
The project did not get off to the flying start I wanted it to as there were issues in selecting the target group in Sri Lanka, it was redesigned according to the need of Sri Lankans and later implemented. The goal of the project is to empower the destitute children through taekwondo.
An orphanage was selected where 30 children are to be trained for a year. The project stands to run longer based depending on how successful it is.
Dr. Chungwon Choue, the President of WT visited Sri Lanka for the official launching of the project as well as to initiate an NGO — GCS Chapter in Sri Lanka to offer assistance for the development of Taekwondo.
Sport is mainly in cities, but the implementation of this project targeted rural and underprivileged children. Also, Taekwondo is one of the fast-growing sports in Sri Lanka as we speak.
The project has had a great impact on the local community given the locals a chance to learn through sport. I am talking about values such as inclusion and respect for one another.
Dr. Chungwon Choue’s arrival in Sri Lanka and the initiation of the GCS Sri Lanka Chapter have been a fresh of fresh air to the Sri Lanka Taekwondo Federation (SLTF).
7. What other goals and plans do you have?
I have been involved in many projects with the NOC of Sri Lanka. Currently, I have been working on a number of projects. Some of them are fairly new to the NOC of Sri Lanka. For instance, designing a new organizational structure on a research basis, drawing a flow-chart for each and every activity of the organization, talent identification program towards the upcoming Youth Olympic Games, and developing a strategic plan for NOC Sri Lanka for 2020–24
Other than that I am taking part in the development of a new sports federation in Sri Lanka, the Teqball Federation of Sri Lanka.
Top of my bucket list is to become an Asia Technical Official (ATO) in Athletics within two years. My dream is to work for IOC. I wish to get there as fast as I can. In five years’ time, I see myself as an International Technical Official for Athletics as well.
8. Were you able to apply some of the knowledge and skills you learned at DTM during your career?
SiGo (5th DTM) and Sika (6th DTM) works now together at NOC Sri Lanka
Yes, I have been using the knowledge I gained for my day-to-day projects. I would say the group work has very much enabled me to work with the staff at NOC Sri Lanka.
Since I take a lead role in many projects, the academic material that our lecturers shared as well as our presentations in class are key for my current work.
Hansika recently reunited with the lot, we work on a lot of things together. The power of DTM is right up there. I have given an opportunity to my mates and DTM alumni to be part of the NOC Sri Lanka’s project by interviewing them for some of our publications.
As a man with a Statistics background, DTM gave me a lot of opportunities to develop my writing skills. Of late, I have written a number of project proposals.
9. What do you miss about DTM?
I miss my classmates — every day I chat with most of them. We are miles apart but we are still in touch via social media. I miss the SNU Library too. This was one of my favorite places to spend time and relax. I miss my friends from all over the world I made from the dormitory. I miss the DTM class too. I wonder who has taken over my seat?
10.What is one thing you want to tell DTM faculty and future DTM students?
I always tell my DTM friends to go full throttle with academics and explore South Korea. South Korea gives plenty of opportunities to international people to go out and see the country.
I advise them to sign up for the various programs and enjoy to the maximum. Personally, I took part in several programs in regard to sports and academics not forgetting so many others outside the campus life.
Learn new things from people in and out of the DTM. I am sure we shall make the world an amazing place soon.
Lastly, DTM is the best platform for one to share and learn from others within a short period of time.
11. Do you have anything else you would like to share with us?
DTM is marvellous! DTM was an opportunity for me to learn many things within 17 months with people from 23 nations in one class from more than 30 professors. I am glad that the network is getting bigger every year with the new DTM students. I hope to meet the DTM family pretty soon.
SiGoSport 