Sri Lanka targets six medals at Asian Athletic Championship

by Prince Gunasekara

Sri Lanka hope to win six medals in the forthcoming Asian Athletics Championship to be held from July 3 to 7 in Pune, India, said Derwin Perera, the National Athletics Coach of Sri Lanka.

United States based 400-metre hurdler Christine Sonali Merril, Chandrika Subhashini (400m), javelin thrower Nadeeka Lakmali and high jumper Manjula Kumara are Sri Lanka's medal prospects in the individual events while Lankan 400m relay teams are looking to bring its former glory in the Asian region.

"Both our men and women relay teams are in good spirit and confident now.

Sri Lanka had shown excellent performances in 400m relay events in Asia in the recent past as we won many gold medals. There was a downfall in recent championships.

Hopefully, we will be able to regain the supremacy of the 400m relay in the future too," said Perera.

Olympian Nadeeka Lakmali, who clinched three Gold medals in the Javelin Throw in the three Legs of the recently concluded Asian Grand Prix, will make a forceful attempt to win medals forthcoming five-day meet, he said.

During the last Asian Athletics Championship which was held in Kobe, Japan, Sri Lanka's Christine Sonali Merril won a bronze medal in her pet event 400m hurdles and Chandrika Subhashini won silver in the 400m event.

Asian Athletics Association AGM is tomorrow.

There will be a tight tussle between India's Suresh Kalmadi and Qatar's Dahalan Al Hamad for the post of President of the Asian Athletics Association to be held on July 1 (tomorrow) in Pune, India.

Indian contestant Kalmadi, who faced allegations after his conduct as the Organizing Committee Chairman of Commonwealth Games held in 2010 in Delhi will have to face a tough challenge from the current Vice President of the International Amateur Athletics Association (IAAF) and Senior Vice President of the Asian Athletics Association Al Hamad.

Three Sri Lankans will battle it out for three posts at the AGM as the Secretary of the Sri Lanka Athletics Association Prema Pinnawale will contest for the Asian Athletics Association Executive Committee while Sri Lanka's Olympic medallist Susanthika Jayasinghe is looking to contest its women's committee and L.S. Perera for the Marathon Committee as well.

The contingent for the Asian Athletics Championship

Men: Manjula Kumara (High Jump), Nuwan Gamage (Triple Jump), Sachith Maduranga (Javelin Throw), Dilan Aloka (400m, 400mX4), G.M. Gunaratne (400m, 400mX4), D. Priyashantha (400mX4), Mahinda Jayasekara (400mX4), Kalhara Seneviratne (400mX4).

Women: Jani Chathurangani (100m), Sujani Buddhika (200m), Chandrika Subhashini (400m, 400mX4), L.A. Nimali (800m), Geethani Rajasekara (5,000m), L.A. Dulakshi (3000m Steeplechase), Christine Sonali Meril (400m hurdles, 400mX4), Nadeeka Lakmali (Javelin Throw), Dilhani Lekamge (Javelin Throw), Darshika Sandamali (400mX4), Dulakshi Pathmakumari (400mX4), Upamali Ratnakumari (400mX4).

Officials: H.W. Nimalsiri (Manager), W.K. Kularatne (Assistant Manager), Geethani Pathiranawasam (women's team official), Derwin Perera, A.J. Rodrigo, Bhadhra Gunawardena (Coach), Miranda R. Lewis (Cuban Coach).