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by Bernard Perera

Sivanathan Kishore, head of the Sri Lanka Red Cross based in Vavuniya speaking at a press conference held at Football House said that the LTTE had consented to play allow matches in uncleared areas when the Germans arrive in Sri Lanka as part of the Asian German Sports Exchange Program.

This conference was held last Friday by AGSEP headed by Dietmar Doering to announce the teams that are to tour Germany in the future.

Kishore who was a late comer to the press briefing due to important commitments said he met the LTTE chiefs in Vavuniya on Thursday.

He also added that it was a vital breakthrough when Sri Lanka is looking for peace from all quarters.

AGSEP's programme to bring peace and promotion of sports in these areas could help immensely, he said. He thanked the organisers and said that he is ready to hold more talks with LTTE in the future to make this a successful one.

Dietmar Doering, the chief of the AGSEP addressing the gathering of media and the ten teams that are to visit Germany said it is a golden opportunity to Lankan sportsmen and women to gain the maximum experience in specific sports and also to mix up with Germans to get a wider knowledge of the country as well as to expand cordial relations. He also said that he held talks with Defence Minister regarding the same matter and the Minister too was very supportive of the idea.

Doering requested the media to give the highest publicity to these events so that it could help people of rural areas as well. He thanked the media for all publicity extended during the past engagements through this programme. He went on to add that earlier it was to send only six teams but with more assistance coming from airliner LTU they were able to extend the number of teams to ten.

Doering wanted all players to return after the completion of their respective events. This he said is an important factor all must keep in mind. We have to think of the future of other players who are knocking at the door for opportunities of this nature. Our organisation will conduct few English classes for all participants who are to leave for Germany which would help them to move closely with their counterparts.

The new teams that are included are chess and handball.

President of the Chess Federation, Derric Perera, Representative of the German National Airlines LTU, Roshani Moraes were also present on the occasion.

DIG, Gamini Randeniya, Senior Vice President of the FFSL speaking said that AGSEP's programme in sending Lankans to Germany is of vital importance to our sportsmen and women.

Our sportsmen and women must make sure that everything that is to be learnt from their tours must be put to good use after return. We all must be thankful to the organisation for giving this opportunity to our young and upcoming sportsmen. He also mentioned that media plays a vital role in promoting this event.

Lakshman de Silva, Secretary of AGSEP, a former senior police officer is taking great pains in organising sports in the local scene.

Five times German national wrestling champion, Roman Hoffman who is on holiday with his wife too was present at the press briefing. 

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