More sports facilities in the offing

by Uditha Kumarasinghe

The Government has launched the construction of a National High Altitude Sports Training Academy in Nuwara Eliya.

According to the report ‘Sri Lanka, the Emerging Wonder of Asia - Mahinda Chintana Vision for the Future’ the Academy is also expected to exchange the knowledge of experts in Sri Lanka and abroad. This will ensure scientific research for the optimum benefit of young sports personnel to be exposed to high altitude training methods.

The report said, “High altitude topography for talented sports personnel training is a need to achieve excellence. Nuwara Eliya has an ideal climate for athletics training because the particular weather condition could not be achieved at sea level training (Colombo)”.

In addition to the High Altitude Sports Complex, a especially-designed indoor stadium will be constructed in Nuwara Eliya to expose Sri Lankans to winter games such as skating and ice hockey without having to travel abroad.

Being a population adapted to a tropical climate, the experience of winter games will be very exciting for the local people, the report said.

The Government is working with the private sector to improve infrastructure and other facilities to expand adventure sports such as climbing, mountain cycling, cliff abseiling and water sports including river riding, surfing and boat riding.