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| Sunday, 14 March 2004 |
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President's aid helps SAF Games Squad to participate by LESLIE FERNANDO Sri Lanka contingent of 225 competitors together with 50 officials and 12 staff and medical team will leave on March 27 to participate at the 9th SAF Games to be held from March 27 to April 7 in Islamabad, Pakistan. Hemasiri Fernando, President National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Sri Lanka at a press conference held on Friday night at the Sugathadasa Sports Hotel, said that Sri Lanka will participate in all 15 sports disciplines - Athletics, Badminton, Boxing, Football, Kabaddi, Karate-do, Rowing, Shooting, Squash, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Volleyball, Weightlifting and Wrestling. Fernando added that the 9th SAF Games which had been postponed on three occasions, due mainly because of security and political reasons, will at last be held. Fernando who was in Lahore to discuss various matters in connection with the games. Fernando said NOC Sri Lanka considers participation in these 9th SAF Games to be most important as Sri Lanka will be staging the 10th SAF Games in Sri Lanka in 2005 and as NOC Sri Lanka will take over chairmanship of the South Asian Sports Federation at the conclusion of these Games. Sri Lanka faces the formidable task of organising the 10th SAF Games within a short period of one year as the 9th SAF Games were postponed on several occasions. In fact, if these Games were held according to the agreed time schedule, Sri Lanka should have organised the 10th SAF Games in 2001. The Sports Ministry could release only Rs. 10 million to cover the airfare of the contingent. In the circumstances the participating associations were requested to raise the funds necessary for board and lodging of their teams said NOC Chief. In the meantime, however, an appeal was made to President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga to give us a grant from the President's fund to cover the accommodation costs of the contingent. President most graciously agreed to release the necessary funds on March 16 at 2.30 p.m. at a special ceremony at the President's House. Each association will be given a grant to cover its accommodation. At the conclusion of the ceremony, a commemorative photograph of the contingent will be taken. NOC boss Fernando said that they are grateful to the President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga for her gracious generosity in granting this assistance which has given immense relief both mentally and physically to the athletes and officials of these associations who would otherwise have had to undergo immense hardships in raising the required funds. Fernando said that overall captain of the contingent will be picked shortly and it is likely that Susanthika Jayasinghe, the leading athlete will be the overall captain. Reza Latiff, the Treasurer of the NOC of Sri Lanka will be the Chef-de-Mission and his deputy will be Maxwell de Silva, a member of the NOC. The contingent will leave on March 27 along with the media team. |
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