New Masters Athletics Association unlawful

The Director General of Sports has informed the Athletics Association of Sri Lanka that the newly formed Masters Athletics Association (MASL) is not lawful according to the findings of a formal inquiry conducted by the Department of Sports Development.

The reason given is that it had not been registered in keeping with the provisions of the Constitution of the Athletics Association of Sri Lanka.

The Director General has further directed the Athletics Association to consider the re-affiliation of the Sri Lanka Masters Athletics Association of Sri Lanka (old association) if they have met the requirements for registration of membership.

This was revealed by the president of the (old) Sri Lanka Masters Athletics Association Tissa Samarasinghe at a Press briefing about the proposed 30th Anniversary celebrations of the Sri Lanka Masters Athletics Association.

He added that their (old) Association in the past three decades had contributed to the promotion of good health and well-being of the elderly population by bringing them back to the track which has helped reduce the medical bills of the State.

Samarasinghe further told the media that their old Association is planning to implement a health promotion awareness campaign to educate the masses on the benefits of participation in regular exercises and involvement in sports activities shortly in partnership with the Ministry of Sports.

Founder member and meet secretary Mallika Sachithananda speaking to the media alleged that corrupt practices of some office bearers who formed the new Association had tarnished the good image of veterans' athletics and also destroyed good governance in track and field sports.

General Secretary Christy Mendis, vice presidents Neil Wickramaarachchi and Muhiseen Ariff along with assistant secretary K.Sachithananda too attended the media conference.