Meet Kenneth Juan Yan, a remarkable seven-year-old with an immense passion for basketball. A student of Gateway College in Rajagiriya, Kenneth has not only made a name for himself on the court but also as a shining star in academics. His dedication to both sports and studies is truly inspiring. 

Can you tell us about yourself, Kenneth?

I’m Kenneth Juan Yan. I’m seven years old and I go to Gateway College in Rajagiriya. I have a younger brother who’s four years old and he’s into basketball too. Basketball is my favourite sport, and recently, I made it into the under-15 squad team called Huskies. The coach gave me a special letter, and I was really happy about it. The coach said I’ve been practising really hard.

Oh, and for my birthday, my parents surprised me with a basketball-themed day. It was amazing and I almost cried from happiness.

Do you really enjoy playing basketball?

Absolutely. I started playing when I was six, just as a hobby my parents suggested. But I ended up loving it a lot. I didn’t know I’d get this good at it. The coach even gave me special training which helped a lot. I was also selected for the under-13 inter-house tournaments last month, but sadly, our team didn’t win.

Is basketball the only thing you do every day?

After school, I have lunch and then head straight to basketball practice. As I’m in the squad, we get special training twice a week and even go for beach practices. Plus, once a month, we do fitness training to stay in shape.

Apart from basketball, what else do you enjoy?

I have a few other interests too. I really like dancing and I’m also good at drawing. I love creating drawings of houses, gardens, mountains, and even planets. I’m also a book lover; my favourite story is ‘The Sly Fox and the Red Hen’. I also help my mom with chores when she’s tired, like cleaning the house, washing dishes, and even doing laundry.

When you grow up, what would you like to become?

I want to be a lawyer. Lawyers are smart, and I love how they dress up in suits and go to court. I want to make sure things are fair for everyone.

Sure! I’d love to be a policeman one day, and I also have an interest in acting. It’s a dream of mine to be in a drama someday. 

Do you play any other sports?

Yes, I do karate and swimming, and these are both part of my school activities. I also do oriental dancing, which is really fun.

How does it feel to be the youngest in your basketball team?

Even though I’m the youngest, everyone supports me. Sometimes, I even lead the team. I’ve been told that I have good leadership qualities, and both teachers at school and coaches at the academy trust me with responsibilities.

How do you stay fit and healthy?

I make sure to eat lots of vegetables, fruits, rice, and meat. I avoid sugary and junk foods, and I only drink natural things like fruit juice, water, and milk. I also exercise every day and have fitness training regularly. Staying healthy is super important for a sports person like me.

How do you manage your time between basketball and other activities?

I don’t waste time. I read books even when I’m travelling, and I pay attention in class so I can finish my work on time. I help my friends, and that helps me remember what was taught. My squad has specific training twice a week, and I also do a 30-minute fitness routine every day. After school, I take a nap, watch movies, or play with my brother. I read books whenever I can, even on the way to school.

Are there people you want to thank for your achievements?

I want to thank my mom and dad for their support. Also, my younger brother is always there for me during practices. I’m grateful for all the coaches at school, they have been super supportive and helped me a lot to improve my skills. Also all my coaches at the Huskies academy. Coach Rushdy Ashroaf was my first coach, and now I’m getting trained by head coach Sandeep Gunaratna and deputy coach Sanjaan Gunaratna. They’ve all been a big part of my journey.