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Sports

Sans SAF heavy international calendar for '05
By Bernie Wijesekera
"The South Asian Federation games were to be held in July 2005 here. But it had to be put off for next year due to the Tsunami disaster. The country was torn apart economically or otherwise". Said Lakshman de Alwis - the national athletic coach in an interview with The Sunday Times.

But life has to go on to keep the rural athletes on the track.
The Minister of Sports Jeevan Kumaratunga has given the green light to go ahead and pick a pool of ten elite athletes in preparation for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

He has promised all the funds for its smooth running. The Minister has instructed the talent scouts to go in search of young talent in the rural districts in preparation for the future betterment of track and field sports besides the Beijing Olympics. Some of the present stars will be over the hill by that time.

The Sri Lanka AAA held a committee meeting on Jan. 27, chaired by deputy Minister of Sports, Sripathi Sooriyarachchi, who is also the chairman of training and monitoring committee for international meets to prepare a project paper for a well planned infrastructure for its future development. Others who attended the confab: Director General Sports Milton Amerasinghe, Dervin Perera, Lakshman de Alwis, Brig. Parry Liyanage, Sunil Jayaweera, President SLAAA.

According to De Alwis the government is giving all support for this project.
International Events
Q: What are the international events lined up for 2005?
A: The Asian All Star meet to be held in Brunei in May. Three Grand Prix - in Manila, Bangkok and in Singapore in June.
This will afford the local participants with monetary gains for their performances. The World Athletic championship in Helsinki, first week of August. Asian Athletic Championship in South Korea on September 1.
Preparations for the above meets trials will be held in May and June.

Q: What about the All Star Asian Meet and the Grand Prix?
A: It will be picked solely on the 2004 performances by the Asian Athletic Association. The SLAAA has accepted invitations extended to them for the Philippines Open in May and the Thai Open in April and the Singapore Open in July. It's a heavy calendar for the Athletes who have to be in continuous training next month Feb. 2.

Marathons in Hong Kong and Malaysia in Kuala Lampur, in March. Followed by the London Marathon in March where the best runners will participate. On Jan. 27 (Thursday) Geetha Nandani a lass from Piliyandala left for Kobe, Japan along with her coach B.D.L. Kularatne, to participate in the 20 km Walk to be held on Jan. 30. It's a qualifying walk for the world championship.

Q: What about reviving the Indo-Lanka Junior track meet which was much look forward to in the past? Former National coach, K.L.F. Wijedasa, too suggested that it should be revived (Under-21) to give that much needed exposure top the juniors.

A: Yes, it's a good suggestion. The SLAAA should give serious thought to this meet. The Junior Athletic standard in India is quite high.

Q: Has the IAAF given any financial assistance for Tsunami victims?
A: Yes, they contributed $45,000 to rebuild a school in a Tsunami affected area. The SLAAA made an appeal to the U.S. Medal Winners Association. They, too have responded with a donation of Rs. 1 million.

The AAA should not depend on the old brigade to win laurels, but give that much needed exposure to the rural youth. In the process we may be able to find a W. Wimaladasa a Susanthika Jayasinghe or a Sugath Tillekeratne.

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