President’s inspiration and motivation for sports : Sri Lanka climbs Himalayan heights By Dinesh Weerawansa President Mahinda Rajapaksa firmly believes that sport is a great leveller and that it could play a greater role in strengthening ethnic harmony. He has been a great promoter of sport, giving a helping hand to talented rural sportsmen and women to enter the international arena. Never in the history of Sri Lanka sports have we seen such a colossal amount of money being spent on sports infrastructure development. Diyagama International Sports Complex in Homagama, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium and Suriyawewa International Cricket Stadium are ample testimony of the Government’s intention to take sport to the provinces with better facilities. It was the first time that three new stadia of international class were built in Sri Lanka history, two decades after redevelopment of Sugathadasa Sports Stadium Complex for 1991 South Asian Games and the construction of Premadasa Stadium. Apart from the 1991 constructions, President Rajapaksa is the only leader who has shown a keen interest in developing infrastructure facilities for sport. Barely anybody thought that World Cup cricket would ever come to a remote town of Suriyawewa in the Hambantota district. But President Rajapaksa made that impossible dream a reality when Sri Lanka hosted 2011 ICC World Cup tournament matches at Pallekele and Suriyawewa. The Sri Lanka cricket team did not let down the President as they emerged runners up at this year’s ICC World Cup. During President Rajapaksa’s six years in office, Sri Lanka cricket team twice emerged World Cup runners up in 2007 and 2011 In addition, Premadasa Stadium was redeveloped to the highest international standards to be the third 2011 World Cup venue in Sri Lanka, spending billions of rupees as an investment for the future. It was due to his untiring efforts to mark Sri Lanka’s place prominently on the international sports map that the 2011 ICC World Cup matches were played in Hambantota. Sri Lanka cricket team did not let down the President as they emerged runners up at this year’s ICC World Cup. During President Rajapaksa’s six years in office, Sri Lanka cricket team twice emerged World Cup runners up in 2007 and 2011. Sri Lanka cricket team has been going from strength to strength, winning the Asia Cup and several other titles during that period.The construction of Mahinda Rajapaksa Sports Stadium Complex in Homagama fulfilled a long-felt need to have Sri Lanka’s second international class athletic venue outside Colombo, that enabled athletes from the outstations to train comfortably, without having to come to Colombo – the Sugathadasa Stadium. President Rajapaksa was a versatile athlete during his day and later played a prominent role as the President of the national bodies for athletics and elle. He rendered a yeoman service as the President of the Athletic Association of Sri Lanka (AASL) in 1997, finding talented athletes from village level and giving them a helping hand to blossom in the international arena. It was the base he led with rural talent that enabled Sri Lanka to win Asian Games gold medals after 25 years in Bangkok 1998 and also to strike an Olympic medal after 52 years, in Sydney 2000. The influence and guidance of the President was immense to promote sports at various levels. Sri Lanka lived upto expectations as a great sporting nation in the Asian region while making vast strides in the international scene, both here and overseas in almost every game. Thanks to the untiring efforts of President Rajapaksa whose passion for sport has lifted the entire nation towards a new era. The sports-loving President has made an immense contribution for the promotion and development of sports throughout the island. Despite his busy schedule, President Rajapaksa has always made it a point to witness some of the key sports events to inspire our sportsmen and women. Susanthika Jayasinghe won women’s 200m bronze medal at the IAAF World Championships in Osaka, 2007. Chaminda Wijekoon created history when he won a gold medal for his excellent performance in the men’s 1,500m at the Lusafonia Games held in Lisbon in 2009. He also set a new Sri Lanka mark in his pet event at this year’s IAAF World Championships in Daegu. Sri Lanka achieved another rare feat at international level when Prasanna Peiris bagged the 65kg weight class silver medal at the 63rd World Bodybuilding Championships. In the ring sport, women boxers came into recognition with Nilmini Jayasinghe winning a gold medal at the World championships in Petersburg, Russia. Her teammate Anusha Kodituwakku bagged a bronze at the Women’s Indoor Games held in Hanoi, Vietnam. In sailing, Sri Lanka won two silver and one bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games weightlifting championships in Malaysia. The Lankan netball team regained the Asian championships with a dazzling performance in Malaysia. Their success had a great amount of significance considering the fact that the last time they won this event was way back in 2002. In rugby, Sri Lanka finished third at the Five Nations Division One tournament held in Dubai. Despite going in as underdogs the Lankans produced a superb performance to register impressive victories against Thailand and Singapore. Sri Lanka also excelled at the Hong Kong Sevens after a long lapse. The inspiration and motivation given by President Rajapaksa would undoubtedly help Sri Lanka’s sportsmen and women to reach greater heights in the world sports arena.