Dian Gomes’ departure marks end of era in Sri Lankan boxing

In the world of sports, there are leaders, and then there are visionaries. Dian Gomes, a name synonymous with Sri Lankan boxing, embodies the latter. As he prepares to retire from his active role in boxing management and administration in Sri Lanka, the sporting world braces for the departure of a true icon. Dian will still remain as a Board Member of the 200 member nternational Boxing Association (IBA) and the Asian Boxing Confederation (ASBC) supporting Sri Lanka Boxing. He is the only Sri Lankan to serve at this level of Board position in a major international sporting body.

Gomes’s influence extends far beyond the confines of the boxing ring or the borders of Sri Lanka.

For close to a quarter of a century, he has been at the forefront of shaping the trajectory of boxing in the country, propelling it into the international spotlight with unprecedented fervour.

His visionary ideas and infectious enthusiasm have not only inspired countless pugilists to reach great heights but have also captured the imagination of corporates and the nation alike. Under his guidance, boxing in Sri Lanka has undergone a metamorphosis, experiencing unparalleled growth in both participation and performance in the last 20 years.

Gomes’ ability to secure sponsorships and private funding has been instrumental in providing boxers with the resources they need to excel on the global stage when there was hardly or zero support for finance from the Government and the National Olympic Committee. Moreover, his innovative approach to integrating boxing into corporate culture at MAS Holdings and Hela Clothing not only created healthy competition but has also elevated standards within the sport.

As President of the Boxing Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), Gomes’ tenure has been marked by a series of remarkable achievements including getting boxer, Anuruddha Rathnayake at the Olympics in 2008 after a 40 year lapse and 3 Commonwealth Games medals after a lapse of 68 years. His unwavering vision for the future of boxing in Sri Lanka has been the driving force behind his efforts to revolutionise the landscape of the sport winning over 150 medals in boxing internationally over 20 years.

But Gomes’ impact goes beyond the realm of sports. His dedication to talent development and his strategic investments in coaching and infrastructure have not only produced world-class athletes but have also empowered communities and driven positive social change. Last year alone he personally donated three international-size boxing rings and equipment to S.Thomas’, Ananda and Nalanda Colleges to bring the three schools back to the boxing arena.

His commitment to transparency and integrity has earned him praise, both locally and globally, even as he faced criticism from detractors. Especially when he kicked out a few officials including an international female boxing referee and judge for corruption and interfering on National Selection issues. Yet, amidst it all, Gomes remained steadfast in his belief that due process on selection to represent Sri Lanka on meritocracy must prevail.

Beyond his achievements in the corporate world and in sports, Gomes’ legacy is most profoundly felt in the lives of the hundreds of athletes he has mentored and thousands of apparel workers he supported throughout his career. His departure from the role of President of the Boxing Association of Sri Lanka undoubtedly marks the end of an era in Sri Lankan boxing.

But as one chapter closes, another begins. Gomes’ departure presents an opportunity for renewal and growth within the sport, as his legacy of empowerment and social change continues to serve as a guiding light for future generations and hope that politics and corruption will not appear like in other major sports. In the end, it is not the medals or accolades that define Gomes’ legacy. It is the impact he has had on people’s lives—the dreams he has enabled, the barriers he has broken, and the futures he has shaped. And for that, Dian Gomes will forever be remembered as an ‘enabler of dreams’.