The Canadian Tamil Youth Alliance held its first ever Top Talents Awards Gala and Dinner last Friday, June 18. Top Talents was created to recognize and celebrate the achievements of Tamil youth aged 17-30 by recognizing and rewarding talented youth among the community with an award and a $500 bursary. Its aim was to motivate youth to achieve greater success by recognizing and rewarding those youth who have contributed to society and are positive role models for their peers.
So, aren’t you all excited to find out who the Top Talents of this year were, and what they have accomplished to received their awards? For the next few days, we will be profiling our winners, and we hope their success story motivates and inspires you!
We will begin with the Top Talents Basketball Award.
The Top Talents Basketball Award is presented to an individual who has shown significant achievement in a competitive organized sporting environment while showing commitment, leadership and sportsmanship. Decisions are made based on the applicant’s personal statement and references (if submitted) by a panel of judges. The selection panel is interested in the nominee’s overall success, leadership qualities, determination, and commitment to success.
This year, the CTYA Top Talents Basketball Award was presented to Mr. Deluxshan Pathmanathan.
Deluxshan’s work ethic, accomplishments and leadership qualities have made him an ideal recipient for this award. He has played in various basketball teams, and seeing his achievements and athletic ability, he was featured in the Toronto Star, and was offered numerous athletic scholarships from universities all across Canada including the University of Prince Edward Island, Laurentian University, and the Royal Military College. He has also made it to the USA Junior Nationals Team. He currently plays for the York University Varsity Team, Ceylon United and the Toronto Tamil Basketball Association.
Not only has he demonstrated excellence in his own athletic ability, but he has demonstrated leadership and commitment towards encouraging and supporting youngsters who play basketball through his volunteerism. He currently coaches for Albany Avenue Basketball Association where he uses his talent to nurture budding athletes. He is an inspiration and motivation for others team players and demonstrates a positive attitude and excellent sportsmanship. His goal is to run a basketball league for inner-city youth where he can educate and empower them as a basketball coach.
“He [Deluxshan] is a highly dedicated individual with an immense amount of potential who is constantly striving for greatness and hoping to achieve nothing less.” – Karthiga Thayananthan, (Reference)
“On the basketball court, Deluxshan has displayed unparalleled commitment to the program, his team and the game himself. For close 25 years I have been working in youth development within the basketball community and beyond. With that in mind, I am without a doubt certain that Deluxshan possesses all the essential qualities required to become a recipient of the CTYA Athletic Award” – Sean Morgan Loucks, Director and Head Coach of Albany Avenue Basketball Association (Reference)
Recent Basketball Awards and Achievements: York University TSA Athletic Award, McMaster University Basketball Tournament Champions, U of T Summer League Champions, YUTSA 3 on 3 Basketball Champoions, Albany Avenue Basketball MVP, Asian Community Games (Bronze Medalists)
On behalf of the Canadian Tamil Youth Alliance, we would like to offer our sincerest best wishes and Congratualtions to Mr. Deluxshan Pathmanathan!
Photo credits: Ninaivukal, Gana Arumugam
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