ISSN: 1391 - 0531
Sunday December 9, 2007
Vol. 42 - No 28
Sports

Our next aim is the Olympics - Lakmal

By Harry Jayachandra

Lakmal Wickremage

“For the first time Sri Lanka’s history the international governing body of rowing namely Fédération Internationale des Sociétés d’Aviron (FISA) has asked us to select a boy and a girl between the ages of 18 and 25 to undergo a training programme along with me prior to Olympic qualification in April 2008,” said coach of the National Rowing Team Lakmal Wickremage.

In an interview with The Sunday Times Wickremage said; “This all started back in 2002 when the president of Sri Lanka Rowing Association (SLRA) Deva Henry and former president Rohan Fernando came up with a plan to take the sport of rowing forward. Up to that point Sri Lanka’s participation at international level was limited to club events such as the Madras Regatta etc. Some people may laugh when we talk about competing at the Olympics. But keep in mind that the weight category for the double sculls is 70 kilos for men and 57 for women. And it because of the progress that we have made in the last five years that FISA is totally funding the training programme I mentioned earlier.”

“Arguably our biggest success was in 2004 at the South Asian Federation Games that was held in Islamabad, Pakistan. We managed to win five silver medals and two bronze medals. It is important to mention the fact that India sent a weaker team. Nevertheless it was a massive achievement for us. And since 2002 we have been sending teams for either the Asian Junior or Senior Rowing championships. FISA has taken note of this and along with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the National Olympic Committee (NOC) brought down Gianni Pospiglione last month for a weeks training programme for both coaches and athletes. Pospiglione won the award for the best coach in 2006, said Wickremage.

When asked what Sri Lanka needs to make a mark on the world stage, Wickremage said: “First it is important to mention that the Sports Ministry brought down 16 brand new boats with oars which will only be used by the national squad. Before these boats were brought we had use of the boats that the Colombo Rowing Club (CRC) had. At international meets the racing course is 2000 metres long. But what we have to practice on is just over 1000 metres. We did make a course of 2000 metres at Bolgoda. But for various reasons we cannot use the 2000 metre course for training. We have spoken to the Sports Minister Gamini Lokuge who was very receptive. What also needs to be understood is that out of the 18 Asian countries around 12 have professional rowers. These competitors train seven to eight hours a day. The best that we can manage is perhaps two hours in the morning and evening due to the competitors having work or school commitments. As a result we are looking at competitors from Army and Navy. But the forces personnel are relatively new to rowing. In addition the situation in the country must also be taken in to consideration.”

Wickremage added: “We are looking ahead to the 2010 Asian Games. And with this in mind we are forming a national squad next month. They will be training regularly. As for sponsorships, we have been fortunate that Mobitel has come forward to sponsor the last two national rowing championships. But it would certainly help if we had a sponsor for the national team. At present talented school athletes head overseas to further their education after the ‘A’ Level examination. If these athletes were paid they might stay on. And obviously this would boost our chances. It would also be good if we could get a good foreign coach. But the coach’s salary would be around 20 to 30 thousand US Dollars for a year. That’s why sponsors are so essential if we to put Sri Lanka on the worlds rowing map.”

Said Wickremage in conclusion: “FISA is determined to dispel the myth that rowing is a ‘rich white man’s sport’. Thus depending on the event there are four to eight slots kept open for Asian countries and the same number for African countries to qualify for the Olympic Games. The top countries like China for example qualify straight from the world championships. These slots are for countries that don’t qualify via that system. Thus with the required facilities and a long term training program it is quite possible for Sri Lanka to compete at the Olympics.”

 
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