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| Sunday, 29 September 2002 |
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Australia willing to help Susanthika in her training by LESLIE FERNANDO Susanthika Jayasinghe, the 'sprint queen' of Asia with an Olympic medal to boost her morale was presented 1,000 Australian dollars through the Duncan White Sports Foundation at a simple ceremony held on Wednesday at the Colombo Club, Hotel Lanka Oberoi. Eddie Gray, domiciled in Melbourne, Australia on a short holiday in Sri Lanka made the presentation. Already 2,000 Australian dollars have been collected through "Susanthika for Gold Athens 2004 Fund" and the organising committee Eddie Gray, Dr. Quintus de Zylva (official representative for Sri Lanka Cricket Board in Australia), Dr. Ranjith Hettiarachchi, Mrs. Shiranee Sinnathamby decided to present a part of the collection to Susanthika. Most of the Sri Lankans domiciled in Melbourne, Australia are supporting the fund opened for Susanthika said Eddie Gray, the Olympic boxer and loyal old royalist. Susanthika Jayasinghe was invited by the Sri Lanka Cricket Foundation of Victoria last year and she was given a big reception by the members. Jackie Kelly, a former Sports Minister of Australia who was present at the reception was highly impressed of Susanthika's performances in the field of athletics and she readily announced that all facilities will be provided for Susanthika to train in Australia. Eddie Gray said that he was the only Sri Lankan to witness both Olympic medal winners Duncan White and Susanthika Jayasinghe run in the Olympics in London and Sydney. Susanthika, after receiving the cash presentation, said that her ambition is to win a 'double' at next week Asian Games. "I will run in both the 100 and 200 metres and I am 'dead' sure of improving the timings in both events. Susanthika left for Busan, south Korea on Thursday. "As soon as I returned from Japan after winning the 200 metres with a timing of 22.91 seconds at the Super Track and Field meet in Yokahama, I didn't have enough time for any serious work-outs and then came the Madrid meet where I came third in the 100 metres". Asked about her future plans after the Asian Games in South Korea, she said that until the end of November, she would be taking a rest, no training and will also not run at any Grand Prix meet till next year. "I hope to go to Australia early next year with the help of Mr. Eddie Gray and train there and will have my husband Dhammika Nandakumar as coach. He will be my coach and motivator here on," said Susanthika. Dr. Quintus de Zylva, Ravi Fernando and Chrisantha Perera (both members of the Duncan White Sports Foundation) and Susanthika's husband Dhammika Nandakumar were also associated at the simple ceremony. |
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