Waidyatilaka to officiate at World University Games

President Mahinda Rajapaksa gracing the opening ceremony of the 26th Summer Universiade in Zhenshen China last week coincides with another Sri Lankan who will be seen in action when the athletics program of the 26th Summer Universiade gets under way on Tuesday.

He is none other than Sri Lanka's one and only International Technical Official in Athletics P.H.D. Waidyatilaka.

This is the third occasion Waidyatilaka has been invited as an ITO for the World University Games. In 2007 he officiated in the Bangkok Universiade and in 2009 he was invited for the 25th Universiade in Belgrade, Serbia but he had to politely turn down the offer as the dates clashed with the IAAF World Youth Championships in Bressanone, Italy. Being a member of the IAAF family his priority was the World Youth Championships.

Immediately after the Universiade in China he will proceed to Daegu, South Korea for the IAAF world Championships which is the most important event in the World Athletics calendar where all leading athletes in the world of the calibre of Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell and Tyson Gay will vie for honours.

Waidyatilaka, the reputed International Official returned from Sacramento, USA in mid July having officiated at the World Masters Athletics Championships.