Athletics boss Fernando pleased with upward trend in standards

By Leslie FERNANDO

ATHLETICS: The standard of athletics in Sri Lanka has improved tremendously among the boys and girls ever since the participation of the young athletes at the Commonwealth Youth Games held in Pune, India about two months back. There has been a notable rise in the standard in the young athletes. This is the view of Major General Palitha Fernando - the President of Amateur Athletic Association of Sri Lanka.

The junior athletes are making steady progress and the AASL will make elaborate plans to carry out many development projects. Developing the juniors is highly placed item on our list of priorities. "We have had satisfactory performances and we look forward next year for improvement by these athletes who will be our medal prospects in years to come. There is interest being shown in all districts and we also look forward athletes from North and North East to perform well in the coming months." said Palitha Fernando.

Athletic boss Fernando said that beside cricket, athletics is the other sport where Sri Lanka has made a name at international level. Sri Lanka has come a long way in athletics not only in Asia but elsewhere as well.

Major General Fernando is a leader who means business and he is going flat out to implement several long-term plans to further improve the standard of athletics, coaching, officiating and also on the administration side.

2009 important year

I consider the year 2009 to be very important for athletics because it is the year for the South Asian Games in Dhaka, Bangaldesh. It will be followed by two major events in 2010 - Commonwealth Games in New Delhi and Asian Games in China.

I am indeed happy with the encouraging performances put up by our junior athletes in Pune. The two sprinters Shehan Ambepitiya, Keith de Mel and the 4 x 100 relay squad will be provided an opportunity to train abroad under a experienced foreign coach.

In addition, Nadeeka Lakmali the first woman javelin thrower to participate at the Beijing Olympics, will be sent to one of the European countries (Russia, Germany or Finland) for advanced training, the athletic boss said.

Negotiations are under way with the IAAF (world controlling body for athletics) on Nadeeka's trip. "I am certain that it will be a reality," added Fernando. Chaminda Wijekoon, the Sri Lanka middle and long distance champion, will leave for Nairobi, Kenya for a IAAF High Performance Course. Chandrika Subashinee, the women's up-and-coming 100, 200 and 400 metres runner and Charith Kapukotuwa, Junior national discus thrower will also go on athletic scholarship abroad.

The AASL already started a talent search programme in Kuliyapitiya on Saturday 6th December and picked 25 young schoolchildren. This programme will be continued in other districts. Altogether 25 children will be selected and they will be brought to Colombo during the weekends for training.

The AAA will also work very closely with the Ministry of Education and the Sports Ministry to organise athletic training programmes in the provinces and also to provide improved facilities to all the participants.

Come February 2009, the AASL will form the athletic pool in preparation for the South Asian Games to be held in Bangladesh.

Significant feature

"One of the significant features this year is the participation of many athletes from the North and East and this I consider to be a very positive step forward in getting athletes from the North and East to meet their brothers and sisters from the South and develop new bonds of friendships." the athletic boss said.

During this year, the AAA of SL was able to carry out many development projects. Coaches training has been encouraged and over 190 coaches were trained. Plans are under way to conduct Level II Course to improve the knowledge of the coaches. A programme has also been laid out to conduct coaching courses for athletic coaches from the North and East.

Major General Fernando said that 25 coaches will be sent to India for 3-months training. They will mostly be PTI's from schools and from the Sports Ministry. There will also be a long term plan for coaches - Degree Course in Physical Training in one of the Universities in a European country. A programme has also been laid out to improve and update and grade the Technical Officials of the AAA of Sri Lanka. The technical officials will also be afforded the opportunity to follow advanced courses and classes abroad.

Anti-Doping Tests will be carried out at all athletic meets, even at school level.

The athletic boss said one of the most important subjects, a track similar to Sugathadasa Stadium will be ready soon. The second artificial track for our athletes the Mahinda Rajapaksa Sports Development Foundation initiated work on such a track at the Diyagama Sports Complex, will be ready in February 2009.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, a keen follower of sports and its development, has been closely associated with athletics since he was President of the Athletic Association of Sri Lanka in 1997.

Long term development

The AAA of Sri Lanka has a permanent secretariat and it is opportune to collect all relevant documents and build archives for the future. It is important to think in terms of a long-term development programme with an emphasis on the young athletes and establishing a definite coaching structure. More than anything else to be a real controlling body the AAA of Sri Lanka should have adequate funds to manage their own affairs - this is the view of the President of the Sri Lanka.

He thanked Leisha de Silva Chairperson Sri Lanka Telecom and SLT Mobitel for coming forward to sponsor many important athletic events. He said that he was grateful to Chairman/CEO Diesel & Motor Engineering (DIMO) PLC -Ranjit Pandithage for their generous sponsorship. The athletic boss was hopeful that more sponsors will come forward to assist in the promotion of athletics.