The outstation region of Sri Lanka holds an immense reservoir of talent, with it often producing top quality athletes in a number of sports. However, there are a great many that fall by the wayside of these mostly rural areas. The Sunday Times set out to find out whether the support these abundantly talented individuals [...]

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The Sundaytimes Sri Lanka

Do outstation athletes stand a chance?

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The outstation region of Sri Lanka holds an immense reservoir of talent, with it often producing top quality athletes in a number of sports. However, there are a great many that fall by the wayside of these mostly rural areas. The Sunday Times set out to find out whether the support these abundantly talented individuals get is adequate for their proper development.

A sportsman from an outstation area should come to Colombo if he or she wants to be popular. But most of them cannot afford to even travel to Colombo or even to buy proper sportswear. - D. M. Asanka (Sales executive)

Despite promises made by politicians to provide all facilities to sportsmen and sportswomen in rural areas the situation there is still the same. Most of the talented sportsmen have given up their dreams as they do not have any state support. - E. Thuragoda (Sri Lanka Transport Board worker)

Sportsmen from rural areas don’t even have basic facilities. Only a few ambitious sportsmen and women come up despite these obstacles. But most of them drop off and give up hope. A relative from our village was very talented in sports and won many medals. But she gave up and now is a teacher. - K. Nandawathie (Parent)

There are a lot of talented students in areas outside Colombo and sports authorities should attend school level and provincial level sports meets and identify this talent. - Lakshika Sameera (Student)

Most of the talented rural children come from low income families and cannot afford to support their children to reach greater heights in the field of sports. For them it’s all about survival and some parents can’t even afford to send their children to school. So the sports authorities should come forward and offer financial help to these sportsmen. - Manoj Udaya Kumara (Bank employee)

Financial support is given to players in the Western province. Sport is like the education sector in the country: the rural schools are completely neglected. Similarly, rural sportsmen are neglected. - Neethi Raj (Van driver)

In order to sharpen their talent and when it comes to team sports, most of the schools have cricket. But other sports like rugby and football are not seen. Also when it comes to coaching, sportsmen in the city have more benefits. - Pasindu Sampath(Student)

A lot of corporate bodies are sponsoring city players. But for those who are outside Colombo there are no sponsorships and these sportsmen don’t get jobs. - Prasanna Karunaratne (Student/Cricketer)

There are so many talented students in rural schools. But there is no way for them to reach higher in the sports field. There should be provincial sports academies for students from rural areas. - R. Kumari (Teacher)

No, they are not getting facilities such as grounds and their training is not enough. Especially strength training is very vital. You don’t need a big gym, things like ladder training and speed techniques are enough. I have been travelling between provinces trying to enhance rugby and the teachers and coaches there always tell me they do not have enough facilities and help. - Sanath Martis (Veteran Rugby coach)

I know a school student who was very talented in athletics. But her father couldn’t afford to even buy her sports shoes. His friends got together and bought her a pair of shoes. But her talents are only limited to school and provincial games, not even national level games. - Tharanga Gallage (Shop employee)

 




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