|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 18 August 2002 |
 |
|
 |
Sports |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Saman Kumara compiled Statistical Guide by LESLIE FERNANDO
G. G. U. Saman Kumara, the Recorder of the Amateur Athletic Association of Sri Lanka as well as its Statistics Committee, was responsible for compiling the Statistical Guide for Athletics from 1973 to 2002. The Statistical Guide was prepared in time for the 14th Asian Athletic Championships concluded at the Sugathadasa Stadium last week. This is the first time such an attempt has been made on this subject. Saman Kumara should be lauded for this monumental task. Most of the officials of the Asian Federations used this publication in updating information data of the Games from 1973 to 2002. Suresh Kalmadi, MP who is the President of the Asian Amateur Athletic Association and Maurice Nicholas, Secretary General, Asian Amateur Athletic Association together with Sunil Jayaweera, President of the AAA of Sri Lanka and Prema Pinnawela, Secretary, AAA of Sri Lanka complimented Saman Kumara for his talent and wealth of knowledge on statistics. The success of the publication, produced in 1999 in connection with the SAF Games, spurred the AAA to complete a similar publication on the occasion of the 14th Asian Athletic Championships. Collecting information of the previous 13 championships spanning 29 years was a difficult task. In the quest for information Kumara, the Editor of the Statistical Guide expresses his gratitude to Herr Hubbeling (Editor of Asian Rankings), Paul Jenes (President ATFS) and Arid Gjerde of Norway for their co-operation and readiness in sharing the information needed for this publication. The publication would be of immense value to all Asian nations in some way for the development of athletics in their own lands, thereby in the Asian region as a whole. Kumara is the Hony. Recorder of the AAA of Sri Lanka and also a member of the Statistic Committee of the Asian AAA. He is an instructor attached to the Department of Physical Education as well. He had his early eduction at Seethawaka Central College, Avissawella and later at Dharmapala Vidyalaya, Pannipitiya. Other publications edited by him are Statistical Guide of Track and Field of SAF Games from 1984 to 1999, the AAA 75th Anniversary Book, National Sports Festival 25th Anniversary Book, Sri Lanka Athletic Review 1987 to 1989, 1989 to 1990 and 1991 to 1993. Saman was also the Competition Secretary of the 14th Asian Athletic Championships, Colombo 2002. He was the Assistant Manager of the National Athletic team for the SAF Games held in Kathmandu, Nepal in 1999. He participated as official observer of the 10th Asian Championships in Manila Philippines and SAF Games 1995 in Madras, India. Saman was a reputed athlete having won the Public Schools Championship discus throw, triple jump and the 4x400 metres relay. Saman captained the Dharmapala Vidyalaya athletic team in 1982.a |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
