13 days more for Games to start...:

No controversy in karate selections

by Leslie FERNANDO

SOUTH ASIAN GAMES: The National Olympic Committee together with the Sports Ministry have finalised the Sri Lanka teams represent the country at the 11th South Asian Games to be held in Dhaka, Bangladesh from January 29 to February 9. The 23 Ministerial Co-ordinating Secretaries, Coaches, Managers appointed by the Sports Ministry are attending to various matters in connection with training, coaching programs, accommodation, nutritions and food during training periods. They also submit progressive reports to the Director General, Sports Development Department, said Buddhika Iddamalgoda, Media Co-ordinator of the National Olympic Committee.

Hemasiri Fernando, Chairman, National Olympic Committee said that the 11th South Asian Games (SAG) is the first international sports event that Sri Lanka is taking part in the year 2010. Around 350 sportsmen, sportswomen, managers, coaches fervently hope that they can win laurels for the country. On the other hand, this is the first SAG, Sri Lanka will participate in after the country defeated LTTE separatists. It will also mark the completion of 25 years of the concept of South Asian Association of Regional Co-operation. It is the duty of all of us to protect the dignity of the whole idea, remarked NOC Chief Fernando.

Fernando further said that with the dawn of the New year, all of us are engaged in a giant operation to minimise shortcomings in the field of sports and crete a good country for the future generation. We should not forget our goals, then only we can realise all our dreams.

Buddhika Iddamalgoda said that Sports Medicine Unit headed by Dr. Geethanjana Mendis has appointed doctors for different pools to assist sportsmen and women who will be taking part in sports. Dr. Seevali Jayawickrema (squash, golf, shooting, boxing, table tennis), Dr. Lal Ekanayake (athletics, football, volleyball, weightlifting, judo, kabadi), Dr. Dhammika Senanayake (karate-do, taekwondo, wushu, swimming, badminton, wrestling) Dr. Shiromi Pilapitiya (handball, archery, basketball, cycling, hockey).

There is no controversy on the Karate teams selection for the 11th edition of the South Asian Games to be held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, said Maxwell de Silva, Secretary, National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka.

Karate team was approved by the National Selection Committee on the recommendation of the Karate-do-Federation of Sri Lanka. The selected karatekas were sent to Malaysia for further training.

There were three karatekas Danuka Sanjeewa, Eranthi Jayakody and Nishanthi Samanthi included in the squad for training in Malaysia, but they were not in the original selected team, added De Silva.

The duties of the coach

'If sportsmen and women don't keep to the right discipline then the coach should be held accountable. A coach should not be a person who is limited to a signboard. He should act as a parent of the sportsmen and women whom he trains. He should take care of them". These thoughts were aired by Director General of Sports, Bandula Dahanayake at the awareness seminar for the coaches and Sports Ministry Co-ordinating officials held at the Sports Medicine Institute. During the SAG, everyone should strive to protect the good name of the country, he further said.

Dr. Seevali Jayawickrema spoke on the banned anabolic substances and the intake of vitamins and other medicine. Dr. Dhammika Senanayake spoke about keeping the sports persons in good physical condition. Doctors Ms. Shiromi Pilapitiya and Manoj Gayan too participated in the discussion.

The Head of Sports Medicine Institute Dr. Geethanjana Mendis said sportsmen and women are being provided with necessary vitamins and they can get instructions any time. Four doctors have been appointed to assist the Sri Lanka competitors who will be taking part in Dhaka.

Dr. Mendis also said that if someone has to seek medicine (he or she) should go to a government hospital and the Sports Medicine Institute should be informed of all such practices. It is also necessary to inform the doctor that the person is taking part in an international sports meet.

Overseas training

Buddhika Iddamalgoda said that in preparation for the South asian Games, Sri Lanka boxers have gone to Thailand, karatekas to Malaysia, volleyballers to Myanmar, shooters to Doha, Qatar and football players to Singapore for special training with the consent of Sports Minister, Gamini Lokuge.

According to NOC mediaman Buddhika, the South Asian Shooing Confederation will meet on January 29 in Dhaka. The members will bring in some amendments to the constitution there. Two representatives each from the eight countries in the region will take part. President of Sri Lanka Shooting Association Major General Rajitha de Silva and member Elmo Rodrigo will represent Sri Lanka.

9th SAF Games 2004 in Islamabad

It took five more years to have the next SAF Games. Following the 9/11 attack in the United States and subsequent war in neighbouring Afghanistan, Pakistan had to postpone the Games on three occasions before they finally brought the Games back to Islamabad from March 29 April 7, 2004.Out of 170 gold medals, India won a record 101 while the hosts Pakistan were placed second with 42. Third placed Sri Lanka's share was 15 gold.

Sri Lanka and India won seven gold medals each in men's athletic events. The cynosure of all eyes were on Sri Lanka's Rohan Pradeep Kumara Fernando who completed three gold medals 20.99 seconds in 200 metres, 45.89 secs. in 400 metres plus men's 4 x 400 metres relay title - 3.05.80 seconds. Susanthika Jayasinghe returned to SAF Games track after her record Sydney 2000 Olympic Games medal and won women's 200 metres gold in 23.49 seconds. India's middle distance runner Madhuri Singh won the women's 800 metres and 1,500 metres gold medals.

It was India all the way in badminton with all seven titles going to them. But Pakistan were a dominant force in boxing with nine of the 11 gold medals. Pakistan soccer team made the host nation proud with that much needed elusive win over arch rivals India to win the gold medal. Sri Lanka won the bronze.In swimming, Rehan Poncha won three gold medals for Pakistan while Puneeth Rana bagged two for India. The Indian women bagged all 15 swimming gold medals that were on offer. The Indians also made a complete whitewash in table tennis with all seven titles.

India overall champions

India once again proved their class, be coming overall champions for the ninth consecutive time at the South Asian Federation Games (SAF Games). India came on top at the 2004 Games winning - 101 gold, 59 silver and 31 bronze, total of 191 medals. Pakistan secured second position with 42 gold, 55 silver, 50 bronze, total 147, Sri Lanka in third position with 15 gold, 33 silver, 57 bronze total 105, followed by Nepal - 7 gold, 6 silver, 21 bronze total 34 (fourth), Bangladesh - 3 gold, 11 silver, 26 bronze total 40, (fifth) Afghanistan - 1 gold, 3 silver, 28 bronze total 32, (sixth) Bhutan - 1 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze total 6, (seventh) Maldives did not win a single medal.

(More on the Colombo Games - 10th edition in 2006 next week.)