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By DINESH WEERAWANSA

Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports, Johnston Fernando said he would take immediate steps to start preparations for the 2002 Asian Track & Field (ATF) Championships to be hosted in Colombo.

In an exclusive interview with the 'Daily News' yesterday, Minister Fernando said he had instructed to take all possible steps to go ahead with the preparations. "We cannot afford to lose this opportunity. We must get things going as a lot of groundwork to be done. I am confident has that we should be able to catch up the things and be ready for the big event," a determined Sports Minister said. He has called an urgent meeting of the athletic and ministry officials in Colombo tomorrow to get into action.

Sri Lanka's preparations for the 44-nation mega event, the largest ever sporting event to be held in Sri Lanka after the Vth SAF Games in 1991, is already behind schedule. There were concerns whether Colombo would miss out on the opportunity of being the hosts of the next ATF meet.

Sri Lanka should expand its infrastructure facilities to host the Asian championships. The Sugathadasa Outdoor Stadium needs to be redeveloped once again for the meet. Relaying of a new artificial running track, putting up a giant electronic screen and two new buildings by the side of the main Alfasi Stadium are some of the priorities. The initial plans were made when present Plantations Minister Lakshman Kiriella held the post of Sports Minister.

Group captain Tikiri Marambe, who was then the chairman of the Sugathadasa Sports Stadium Authority, had big plans with the stadium preparations and even had a series of fruitful meetings with athletic associations, sports ministry and treasury officials. He even had vital discussions with the Moratuwa University's electronic department staff to plan a giant screen.

But a subsequent power struggle both in the Parliament as well as the local athletics governing body, followed by the General Elections, badly affected Sri Lanka's preparations for the Asian Track & Field meet, for which the Sri Lankan Government has already kept a security deposit of USD 20,000. This amount would be fortified if Colombo fails to host the event.

However, the new Sports Minister Fernando is keen to see the Asian Championships in Colombo a reality. Being a versatile sportsman during his day at St.Anne's College, Kurunegala, Minister Fernando knows how important it is to have a big sports event of this nature in Sri Lanka. "It is a plus point for Sri Lanka in many ways. Firstly our athletes could compete with some of the best athletes in Asia and world circuit under home conditions. It will also help to keep Sri Lanka's image in world and also to our tourist the industry," Minister Fernando said.

With the initiative given by the youthful Minister Fernando, Sri Lanka should be able to sort out things fast and be ready by August to host the biggest ever sports event in local sports history.

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