BENDING IT LIKE BECKHAM
Hi Magazine|Series 19 Volume 4 - 2021
THE BRIT SRI LANKAN BANDARA BOYS ON PLAYING FOR WATFORD FC AND WHY FOOTBALL REMAINS THEIR OBSESSION
Tina Edward Gunawardhana
BENDING IT LIKE BECKHAM
The Bandara Boys are the epitome of a modern day multicultural family. With an English mum and a dad of mixed Sinhala and Tamil parentage, the boys have been brought up against a rich and diverse cultural background. Culture aside, the siblings are sports fanatics. Football is revered by them and every spare moment, they are found kicking a ball in their back yard.

Their dream is to play professional football. Reuel’s footballing prowess was identified when he caught the eye of a Chelsea FC coach. Both boys are now signed up by Watford Football Club and Titans FC. The duo harbour ambitions to play professional football and represent Great Britian when they are older

What was the earliest coaching you had?

Makai - I joined a football club at the age of 4 and my brother Reuel followed me at the age of 3. This was just a local evening club where both of us learned the basics of football. It wasn’t anything too serious just a bit fun. Our dad was into football and we grew up with football around the house so we naturally just picked up a ball.

Why is football your favourite sport?

In the UK football is a way of life andeveryone plays it. Theefore, from a young age both in the playground and in the park, we just play football. We also used to go and watch dad play on a Saturday when we were younger.

What other sport do you play?

Reuel – We both love to stay active. The other sports we love are swimming. That said Makai also loves boxing so he is at a boxing club. We also like cricket and athletics.

How often do you train and for how long?

This story is from the Series 19 Volume 4 - 2021 edition of Hi Magazine.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the Series 19 Volume 4 - 2021 edition of Hi Magazine.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM HI MAGAZINEView All
Hi Magazine

Kalukanda House A LABOUR OF LOVE

“Experience the creative and spiritual beauty in Sri Lanka through conscious travel with Kalukanda House” Dee Gibson, owner of Kalukanda House

time-read
4 mins  |
Series 19 Volume 4 - 2021
BENDING IT LIKE BECKHAM
Hi Magazine

BENDING IT LIKE BECKHAM

THE BRIT SRI LANKAN BANDARA BOYS ON PLAYING FOR WATFORD FC AND WHY FOOTBALL REMAINS THEIR OBSESSION

time-read
8 mins  |
Series 19 Volume 4 - 2021
Making A Statement
Hi Magazine

Making A Statement

KLÄDER CEYLON’S DESIGNER MARLIN CHRIS CREATES A BOLD COLLECTION FOR THE MAN WHO DARES TO BE DIFFERENT

time-read
2 mins  |
Series 19 Volume 4 - 2021
The world's youngest couturier
Hi Magazine

The world's youngest couturier

Sri Lankan-Italian designer Andrea Brocca’s graduate collection had the world’s fashion press swooning over him. Awarded the title of the World’s Youngest Couturier by Guinness World Records, the prodigy who dressed Lady Gaga for the cover of Billboard magazine speaks exclusively to Features Editor, Tina Edward Gunawardhana on his meteoric rise in the fashion world

time-read
10 mins  |
Series 19 Volume 4 - 2021
An advocate for diversity
Hi Magazine

An advocate for diversity

TV AND FILM PRODUCER, HIP-HOP ARTISTE, TV TRAVEL SHOW HOST AND CHILDREN’S AUTHOR RUBY LOVELL USES HER OWN CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES OF DIFFICULTIES IN ASSIMILATING TO BECOME A STRONG ADVOCATE FOR DIVERSITY IN CHILDREN’S LITERATURE WITH HER COLLECTION OF CHILDREN’S BOOKS PUBLISHED IN THE UK

time-read
7 mins  |
Series 19 Volume 4 - 2021
Champion diver
Hi Magazine

Champion diver

YASHODA DE SILVA IS SRI LANKA’S UNDISPUTED DIVING CHAMPION. WITH HER EYES SET ON WINNING MORE MEDALS YASHODA REMAINS STEADFAST IN HER TRAINING REGIMENT IN AUSTRALIA

time-read
4 mins  |
Series 19 Volume 4 - 2021
CREATING A vibe FOR THE fashion tribe
Hi Magazine

CREATING A vibe FOR THE fashion tribe

KARMA COLLECTION FOUNDERS SEEMA MOCERI AND TIVON PRASAD REVEAL THEIR FASHION PLANS

time-read
5 mins  |
Series 19 Volume 4 - 2021
The Priestly ARTIST
Hi Magazine

The Priestly ARTIST

LTP MANJUSRI A DOYEN OF SRI LANKAN ART

time-read
7 mins  |
Series 19 Volume 4 - 2021
The Lady sings the blues
Hi Magazine

The Lady sings the blues

HAVING SUNG FOR THE QUEEN AT THE MILLENNIUM COUNTDOWN IN LONDON, AND PERFORMED WITH THE LIKES OF SIR VAN MORRISON, JAMIE CULLUM AND BURT BACHARACH, DOCTOR TURNED MUSICIAN SUMUDU JAYATILAKA HAS JUST RELEASED HER NEW ALBUM ‘FOR ALL WE KNOW’

time-read
8 mins  |
Series 19 Volume 4 - 2021
World Traveller
Hi Magazine

World Traveller

AWARD WINNING MUSICIAN AND COMPOSER NITIN SAWHNEY COMBINES ASIAN AND OTHER WORLDWIDE INFLUENCES WITH ELEMENTS OF JAZZ AND ELECTRONIC TO CREATE SUBLIMINAL MUSIC. HE HAS JUST CONCLUDED ‘JOURNEYS’, A CONCERT AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL TO CELEBRATE 150 YEARS OF IMMIGRATION. SAWHNEY EXPLORES THEMES OF MULTICULTURALISM, POLITICS AND SPIRITUALITY THROUGH HIS MUSIC. HE HAS RELEASED HIS NEW ALBUM ‘IMMIGRANTS’.

time-read
2 mins  |
Series 19 Volume 4 - 2021