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| Sunday, 5 October 2003 |
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Sri Lanka must look for young athletes for future meets - Sunil Jayaweera by LESLIE FERNANDO "In future international athletic meets, the athletes who represent Sri Lanka should behave better and not be a bad example to others. The Athletic Association of Sri Lanka will enforce strict disciplinary actions to suspend those athletes who violate the rules and regulations enforced by the authorities", said Sunil Jayaweera, the president of Athletic Association of Sri Lanka at a special discussion on the future of Athletics in Sri Lanka held at the National Sports Institution Conference room on Friday. Jayaweera said that some of the athletes who participated at the 15th Asian Athletic Championships in Manila, Philippines along with few officials have made false statements to the media stating that the athletic administration and the standard of athletics is going down. Some even had gone to the extent of abusing the higher ups of the Athletic Association of Sri Lanka. They have not painted the true picture to the public. "These statements have caused a lot of mental pain specially to me. Without getting together to lift, promote and develop the athletic standard, they seem keen to ruin athletics in Sri Lanka", added Jayaweera. The AASL has a long history, starting from 1922 - now over 82 years. From the 1974 to 1990, the standard of athletic dropped to rock bottom but the AASL was able to produce, medal winners at Asian, World Championships and Olympics from 1991 to date, the AA President further said. Certain former and present officials and even athletes are trying their best to make adverse comments on the athletic administration and the standard of athletics, to prevent sponsors coming forward to help the AASL, said Jayaweera. Without finances, the AASL cannot function. Lot of money is required for the promotion of athletics. The present lot of athletes who have represented Sri Lanka are nearing their prime and it is high time that Sri Lanka look for young talented athletes to replace them. It is up to the coaches to find hidden talent and train and guide them in a proper manner. The coaches alone should not take credit if their athletes perform well, but all should share the credit. Jayaweera added that Sri Lanka cannot find athletes to replace Susanthika, Darsha, Sugath, Sriyani to name a few immediately. But the AASL has drawn up a four-year plan and the aim is for the year 2006. The AASL has decided to have a National Junior Sports Policy, and also to form, a coaches council. Furthermore it is planned to get down foreign coaches to train Lanka's coaches. It has been noted that when some of the athletes reach their foreign destinations for international meets, they complain of injuries (prior to their events). But before leaving country they are passed fit. This is a very important question raised by the media and Jayaweera said that they are helpless on this matter. The athletes go through a full medical check up by the Sports Ministry Medical Unit doctors. Once they receive the green light from the doctors concerned they then leave the country. But certain athletes keep away, not competing in their respective events, stating that they are suffering from injuries. The AASL will shortly discuss this important matter with the doctors attached to Sports Medicine Unit and a solution will be found. The AASL has decided to field over ten athletes for the AFRO Games to be held in Hyderabad, India from October 28 to 31. The contingent will leave on October 25. SAF Games Sri Lanka will field a strong contingent of athletes for the SAF Games to be held in Islamabad in March 2004 and a athletic pool will be selected soon for training. Jayaweera said that the AASL has appointed a committee headed by Brigadier R. P. Liyanage (manager), Lakshman de Alwis (National Coach), Derwin Perera (Deputy Director of Sports), Yogananda Wijesundara (National Sports Institute Director) to select a athletic pool for the SAF Games and to begin training before the end of this month. The athletes will be selected from the best performances for the year 2003. |
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