Village boxers sleep on temple floors, coaches under the influence of liquor and athletes exposed to deadly perils in a toxic environment:
As a seasoned boxing coach in the United States, Bandula Rathnapala is deeply troubled by the state of amateur boxing in Sri Lanka. He argues that the sport, once rich in tradition and respected for its talent, has deteriorated due to a lack of professionalism, ethical issues and severe negligence in athlete care.
Drawing from his experiences as a gym owner and coach in the USA, he underlined the responsibilities that come with coaching and condemned the current administration for its failure to safeguard young athletes, especially during prestigious school events like the Stubbs Shield.
“In the US, becoming a coach isn’t simple,” Rathnapala said. “You go through rigorous testing – 150 to 200 questions on sport ethics, followed by a background check. They make sure you’re not a threat to the kids in any way. They check everything – if you’ve ever abused anyone, used drugs, been to jail, anything that could harm the athletes.
“In Sri Lanka, that level of responsibility is missing. I see so-called coaches who aren’t fit to train kids – no uniforms, no sense of discipline. They just show up in rubber slippers. This isn’t coaching; it’s a disgrace to the sport.”
Rathnapala also condemned the appalling conditions faced by rural athletes who participated in the recent Stubbs Shield tournament. “When I was competing, there were only a handful of schools like S. Thomas’, Trinity, Zahira, St. Michael’s, St Sylvester’s that participated.
“Today, there are 90 schools, hundreds of kids, yet those from villages sleep on temple floors and are given only 350 rupees for food. This is disgraceful.
“It’s no way to treat young athletes who need to be in peak condition to compete. How can you expect them to fight three days straight, without proper rest or nutrition? This endangers their health and threatens the very integrity of boxing,” Rathnapala lashed out.
Rathnapala has experienced it himself growing up with only his mother by his side after his father passed away when he was just 10 years old.
“Growing up, I saw the struggles at home. I turned to school as an outlet for my anger, often getting into fights with other kids,” he recalled.
“They eventually put me in boxing at St. Mary’s College, Dehiwela, and that’s where it all started for me. As a kid, growing up without a father while watching other kids with theirs was painful. I’d cry alone whenever I saw them with their families.”
In the United States, Rathnapala’s mission has grown beyond personal achievement. “When I opened my gym, it was for street kids. I wanted to save their lives, to keep them from joining gangs. There are so many out there – Black gangs, Dominican gangs, Mexican gangs and many others. My goal is to keep these kids off the streets,” said Rathnapala.
He became involved with the Passaic Police Athletic League as a coach, eventually taking over the gym and founding Straight Jab Boxing Academy. “I wanted to reach as many kids as I could, especially those who had no fathers, some with neither parent. I became a father figure, teaching them discipline, protecting them and showing them love. I guide them not only in boxing but in academics and life.
“In America, becoming a coach means passing rigorous tests—150 or 200 questions on sports knowledge, plus a background check for any criminal history. It’s about protecting the kids from abuse or negative influences. Once you pass that, you’re licensed, and you have to uphold high standards,” he said.
Reflecting on a trip to Sri Lanka years ago, Rathnapala remembers seeing coaches at events under the influence. “I was shocked. Coaches had alcohol on them during competitions. That’s unacceptable. Coaches must be disciplined, setting the right example for the kids.
“How can you bring kids to fight and then show up under the influence? They have a responsibility towards these kids to teach discipline, to set an example. Here in the US it is prohibited to bring alcohol or tobacco to events.
“The gym should be a safe place for kids, where coaches help build character, not break it. We need to do thorough background checks and ensure they’re properly trained.
“The role of a coach goes beyond boxing techniques. It’s about truly caring for the kids, ensuring they have proper nutrition, checking how their parents are managing. Boxing starts with love. It’s not just about putting on gloves and sparring – it’s looking at the whole person, from the gym to home life,” said Rathnapala.
He also came down hard on the lack of proper safety measures during boxing events in Sri Lanka, particularly the absence of essential health provisions like ambulances. “How can you hold a boxing event without an ambulance on standby? Boxing is dangerous; one punch can end a life or cause permanent damage. At least two ambulances should be present – one active, one on standby. If we can’t provide basic safety, we shouldn’t be hosting these events. Incompetent administrators are putting these kids in harm’s way and it has to stop,” he warned.
Reflecting on Sri Lanka’s decline from its once-celebrated boxing tradition, Rathnapala declared that reforms can no longer be put on hold.
“When I was young, boxing had legends like Danton Obeysekere, Eddie Gray and Thomas Silva who upheld respect for the sport. Today, Sri Lankan boxing is full of politics and corruption and kids are the ones who suffer. After they finish competing as amateurs, they have nowhere to go – no path to becoming professionals, no support to make a name internationally. It’s heartbreaking to see the sport die because of mismanagement,” he noted with disbelief.
To Rathnapala, reviving Sri Lankan boxing means starting from grass root level reintroducing ethical training and establishing accountability across the system. “Boxing is about more than just throwing punches. It’s about showing love and care for these kids, teaching them respect, ensuring they’re eating properly, seeing that they’re safe. It starts with love.
“If you want these kids to grow into strong, disciplined fighters, you have to give them more than a pair of gloves. You have to give them respect, proper training, and a vision for the future. Only then can we truly revive the sport.”
Rathnapala also calls for more community support for boxing events. “We see buses filled with supporters for political campaigns, so why can’t we do the same for kids’ boxing events? Bring students from different schools and communities to cheer each other on – let’s fill the arena and make it an event they’ll never forget. This is how we promote boxing, how we support the future of our sport,” he said.
He hopes that through awareness and increased standards in training, Sri Lankan boxing can reclaim its place as a national sport of pride and promise. “Boxing doesn’t have to be political, and it shouldn’t matter whether a kid comes from Colombo or a small village. They should all have equal opportunity to compete safely and proudly. My dream is to open doors for our athletes, to see Sri Lankans win on the international stage. But first, we need to correct the amateur level, instill discipline, and support the professionals,” he summed up.
