Mahela Indeewara, the first and only Sri Lankan to play in a European league, etched his name in history books recently by guiding his club Volley Schönenwerd to its first-ever title in the Swiss Major Volleyball Club League 2023. 

Indeewara is currently only playing in Switzerland, but there are offers on the table for him to play in other countries as well – there’s no denying the fact that 23-year-old Indeewara is making a name for himself in Europe. 

The Sunday Morning Sports sat down for an interview with the rising volleyball star, where he spoke on his entry into the sport, the journey thereon, and future plans. 

Following are excerpts:

How did you start playing volleyball?

I started playing volleyball because of my father. I remember training with him from the age of eight. 

My father Kumaratunga Jayalath and mother Dhammika have both played volleyball. My mother is from Kotmale and my father is from Marawila. They met while playing volleyball at the University of Kelaniya.

How was your progress in the sport during the early days?

I trained under my father from the beginning, so even though I received training, I did not get the chance to play matches. Once I joined Nattandiya Dhammissara National School, I was able to play in matches. From the age of 16 or 17, I regularly participated in volleyball matches organised in different areas. That’s how I gained experience. 

Have you played in the DSI all-island tournament?

I played every tournament held in Sri Lanka, including DSI, Dialog, and Munchee. I was recognised as the ‘Most Valuable Player’ of the Under 23 Dialog Volleyball Tournament held in 2017 and 2018.

I also became the ‘Most Valuable Player’ of the DSI Tournament in 2017 and 2019, out of the three years (2017, 2018, and 2019) that I played the tournament. This is in addition to being awarded as the ‘Most Valuable Player’ in two national school tournaments. 

I toured abroad with the Under 19 National Team in 2017. In 2018, I visited Thailand for a beach volleyball tournament.

It was in 2019 that I was first selected for the Sri Lankan National Team. After the Covid-19 pandemic, I started playing again in 2021. We participated in a tournament in Bangladesh and our team was able to win the championship for the first time.

How did you get the opportunity to participate in the Swiss tournament?

When I toured overseas with the Sri Lankan National Team, they saw my talent. When I was playing in the Central Zone Tournament in Bangladesh, the Dutch coach who worked as a coach in Nepal saw me playing. 

He called me and said that I could play in Europe and that he could help me get there. Thereafter, a representative of the sports club in Switzerland called me and I sent him videos of me playing. That’s how I got this chance. 

Are you the first Sri Lankan player to play in Europe?

Yes. I was the first player to represent Sri Lanka in a European tournament. I haven’t even heard of any Indian players in these leagues before this either. 

How was the experience of playing on foreign soil?

Those abroad initially had the belief that Sri Lankans could not play volleyball and they had negative thoughts about our volleyball game. I had to train from the second day I went to Switzerland.

I injured my ankle in the very first training session I took part in after travelling there. But within a week, my ankle was cured. My skills had decreased with the injury and it took about a month for me to return to my usual form.

My specialty is hitting the ball from the top with the jump. They couldn’t believe that I could jump and hit with my height (I am about 190 cm tall – almost every player I met abroad has been taller than me).

They started believing in the skills of Sri Lankan volleyball players and their earlier assumptions vanished after they saw me play. Thereafter, I kept getting opportunities in the team and I was always in the top six.

I talked to them about my height and changed the method of lifting the balls. Ever since then, I have been able to play well. Although the foreign players are tall, I had experience playing everywhere in Sri Lanka, so I was able to use that experience to challenge them. 

It all depends on the setter, doesn’t it?

Setters always listen well to the players. I said that with my height, I had to make some changes in the game. They responded to my request and made the changes.

Are there any memorable incidents that took place?

I will never forget getting an ankle injury on the first day of training. Also, during the tournament, I suffered ankle-related injuries in both legs. In each case, I was advised to rest for a month, but I was able to play in a week’s time. 

I became the highest scorer for my team in the very first match I played. I also received a separate jersey as the top scorer from the second game.

Will you have more opportunities in Europe?

A sports club in France has contacted me and there are some opportunities in countries such as Germany, the Czech Republic, and Hungary. I have also come to know that several sports clubs in the US and Brazil are paying attention to me. Social media platforms have given me a great opportunity to take my talents to the world.

Could you have achieved more if you had done the high jump? 

I am actually a high jumper. I jumped 2 m and 5 cm with no training and no proper high jump technique. I finished second in the John Tarbet School Athletics Tournament held in 2018. I didn’t have a high jump coach. I think it’s one of my talents. I learned the high jump by training with my father.

How did you choose between volleyball and the high jump?

There was a time when I was removed from the National Team and even the team members were not friendly with me. Then I thought it would be better to choose one of these two games, but I decided to continue volleyball. However, I know that I have a talent for the high jump.

Did you play beach volleyball?

No, because there is a rule in volleyball in Sri Lanka that if you represent the National Beach Volleyball Team, you cannot represent the National Volleyball Team. My passion was indoor volleyball, so I gave up beach volleyball.

Having played beach volleyball also helps when it comes to indoor volleyball and even now I practise on the beach. However, because of the rule, I stuck to indoor volleyball. 

What would you do if beach volleyball offered such an opportunity?

If I get an opportunity, I will play, but only if I get it during the off season. However, with the current situation, I hardly have an off season. I have received invitations from various sports clubs and I would love to have that experience.

Have you had any big injuries?

I represent the Air Force team and it has two fitness trainers – Sashi and Sameera. They both help me a great deal in maintaining my fitness, which is how I have managed to avoid any big injuries. Fitness trainers abroad are a little different. I think that was also a reason for my injury in Switzerland.

Where do you wish to be in the future?

I have been urged to stay in Switzerland, but my hope is to get a good position on the Sri Lankan National Team.