Yupun to get funding for training
Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Sports is on the verge of compensating the athletes who won medals at the recently concluded Commonwealth Games (CWG) 2022 held in Birmingham, after a recent plea made by sprinter Yupun Abeykoon. Abeykoon, who claimed the bronze medal in the Men’s 100m event, Sri Lanka’s first ever such feat at a CWG Men’s 100m, had requested the Ministry of Sports to sponsor him on a long term plan.
Sources close to the sprinter disclosed that the Italy-based athlete had requested a sum of US$ 160000 for a span of two years, targeting the next Olympics Games in 2024 in Paris. The Minister of Sports, in response, had agreed to grant Abeykoon US$ 120000 for the said period, sources revealed.
The initial negotiations had taken place between Abeykoon and his team with the local sports authorities via Zoom technology last week, as revealed by the Secretary of the Ministry of Sports, Dr. Amal Harsha de Silva.
“There were initial discussions and yes, he (Abeykoon) did make the request to us for a grant. We are currently doing the initial paperwork as to what we can offer,” Dr. de Silva told the Sunday Times, stating that it’s premature to reveal the final figures of the grants.
Alongside Abeykoon, wrestler Nethmi Ahinsa, weightlifter Dilanka Isuru Kumara and para athlete Palitha Bandara too are listed to receive grants from the Ministry of Sports. After Abeykoon’s initial request, the Minister of Sports had given his recommendation to be further evaluated by the National Sports Council, who will later connect with the sprinter to gather more information of his work plan towards the future.
Abeykoon clocked 9.96secs in the Men’s 100m event in Switzerland weeks prior to winning his bronze medal at the 22nd CWG in Brimingham. He is regarded as the fastest man in South Asia after this feat and the first athlete from Sri Lanka to reach a sub 10second timing in the Men’s 100m.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Sports also have negotiated with Abeykoon’s personal coach, former Italian sprinter Claudio Licciardello, to provide residential training for four more Sri Lankan track athletes in Italy. Licciardello had responded positively to the request according to sources.