Athletes first to appear on track

Bernard PERERA

The Sri Lanka's athletic team for the second Lusofonia Games led by Shehan Ambepitiya arrived in Lisbon yesterday along with Chef de Mission Rohan Fernando.

National Olympic Committee Chairman, Hemasiri Fernando and the Secretary General NOC too accompanied the team on this tour. The opening ceremony was scheduled for late last night in Lisbon. A colourful ceremony is planned for this occasion according to organisers.

Rohan Fernando speaking said that though the team of 20 members are to compete they could not travel together due to travel problems. All other members of the team will be arriving in two batches today and tomorrow in time for their events.

Tomorrow the Beach Volleyballers are expected to arrive here said Fernando. The events are scheduled to commence this evening with few athletic event on the card. Still the program was not issued to the manager and not in a position to exactly give details of the events the Lankans are to compete.

The Lankan paddlers will be seen in action tomorrow. Their program too is expected to be released to the team manager today.

Already eight participating teams from former Portuguese colonies have arrived according to organisers. Few more teams are expected to arrive today. The delays for their arrivals are due to lack of air travel problems. India and Sri Lanka are the only two countries participating from the South Asian Region. Other countries expected to arrive are Angola, Brazil, East Timor, Maccau, Ghana, Indonesia, Mauritius and Morocco.

Fernando the Chef de Mission of the Lankan contingent said that the athletes are in good condition to face the tough opposition expected. This could be vital for them to improve on their timings while hoping for medals specially in athletics.