Nelka Shiromala creates boxing history by officiating two Olympic finals-by Dhammika Ratnaweera

Nelka Shiromala officiating at the women’s Light weight (57-60kg ) Olympic final

‘Getting a chance to officiate two Olympic boxing finals is a great achievement but I had that rare chance during the Tokyo Olympics and also created a new chapter in Sri Lankan Boxing history becoming the first women’s Sri Lanka boxing referee to officiate two Olympic finals out of nine finals said Nelka Shiromala the first ever Sri Lankan Boxing referee and Judge who officiated at the recently concluded Tokyo Olympics

Shiromala has many unique records in the Sri Lankan Boxing arena .She is the only Sri Lankan three star women’s referee judge and also became the first Sri Lankan women referee to officiate in Olympics.

She was among the first batch of four women to pass the referee and judges examination. Her life changed thereafter and emerged as a star carrying herself with her panache as a referee to become a one-star international official in 2011. She made her international debut, the first from Sri Lanka, at the 2011 Indonesian President’s Cup, where significantly she was the only woman official. Then she was invited to officiate 2011 London Olympic test event where she was awarded a two star qualification just after six months of international refereeing. Later she advanced as a three star referee and World Series Boxing (WSB) referee affiliated to the world boxing governing body, Association Internationale de Boxe Amateur (AIBA).

“I had a lot of obstacles to reach this level but I overcame them with my achievements as a boxing referee judge. Especially I still remember Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa encouraging referees and judges before the Tokyo journey . He always said not only Olympian athletes but also the referees who get a chance to represent at International level should not be forgotten as they also bring honour to the country. Only 36 boxing referees got the Olympic chance and I was lucky to be one of the referees. said Shiromala ,the Chief Inspector attached to the Child and Women’s Bureau who also gave credit to Minister of Public Security Dr Sarath Weerasekara who always encouraged her to go to this major event to bring honour to Sri Lanka Police

“I. am also the first Sri Lankan women’s boxing referee to officiate Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast 2018 and now first Sri Lankan women’s boxing referee to Olympics and it was special officiating two gold medal bouts out of nine finals . The first one men’s light heavy weight (75-81 kg) between Benjamin Whittaker of Germany and Arlen Lopez of Cuba which was won by Lopez in a close battle.

My second final was women’s 57-60 kg light weight final between Ireland boxer Kellie Harrington and Brazil’s Beatriz Ferreira. Finally Harrington won the gold by defeating 2019 world gold medallist Ferreira . Actually this bout was a very tough final. Brazil boxer did well at the first round but second and third round was dominated by Irish boxer who recorded a thrilling win to take gold .

When my name with Sri Lanka flag as a referee was displayed at the screen near the Olympic Boxing ring I was really proud to bring honour to my country. It’s my dream come true but all credit goes to my late father Tampu Sampath . His death wish was to see his daughter Shiromala attain Olympian heights as a boxing referee. I was lucky to reach my goal but today my father was not there to see my achievements

“I do not know how to tell you that I lost my father. On the final day of the European Olympic qualifying competition in Paris last June , my husband called me and told me my father had suddenly passed away

after a heart attack . I could not think of anything. I went into the room and cried loudly until the grief subsided,” Shiromala paid an emotional tribute to her loving father on her unbearable loss two month’s ago. “I did not let you feel the loss of not having a son. Following in your footsteps, I became a boxer. Dear father , I did it. I have made all your dreams come true,” she added.