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by Dinesh Weerawansa

Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Johnston Fernando thanked all those who contributed to make the X1Vth Asian Athletic Championships an overwhelming success. "On behalf of the Government and the organising committee, I wish to extend my sincere thanks to all those who contributed immensely to make the Asian Championships a great success. Your contributions in various aspects enabled us to conduct the best ever championship in Colombo, making our little country proud," Minister Fernando said.

Minister Johnston Fernando, who is also the chairman of the Organising Committee of the X1Vth Asian Athletic Championship, said most of the visiting athletes, officials, Asian and IAAF officials whom he met, spoke highly of the championships in Colombo and those were inspiring rewards for the hard work and dedication of the organising committee.

"I know many people worked tirelessly to make this championships tremendous success and another memorable landmark in Sri Lankan sports history. We, the country and the nation, are ever thankful for the contributions made by all to make Colombo the world's newest athletic destination.

He paid a big tribute to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe for all the guidance and support extended. "If not for his dynamic leadership and keenness to promote sports among the youth in this country, this championship would not have been a reality. We had to struggle against time and beat all odds to achieve this goal," the Minister said.

It was a total new experience for the local athletic officials, ground staff, administrators, technical officials, service operators, health services, security forces, ministry officials, medical staff, judges and even coaches to handle this type of a major event.

But all of them rallied round Minister Fernando to make a great combination. "It was a great team effort. Hard work and dedication have been the key to their success. A special tribute should go to AAA President Sunil Jayaweera and his team for the job well done.

On the whole, all Sri Lankans could be proud of what we have achieved, what our small country offered to the Asian athletic family," he said.

Sri Lanka's organisational skills have been highly commended by the IAAF Member Services Director Bjorn Wangemann and Asian AAA Secretary General Maurice Nicholas. There were many tributes to the new Rekortan track and the beautiful arrangements at the Sugathadasa Stadium.

"We have showed the world what we could offer. We are now in a position to make Colombo a regular athletic destination in the world. We have already achieved it as the Asian AAA has offered us to host the Asian Grand Prix for next four years starting in 2003," Minister Fernando added.

Let's not forget all those who made the Asian Championship dream a possible.

Right from the initiative to bid for the championship under the leadership of then Sports Minister and Present Minister of Agriculture, S.B.Dissanayake two years ago to the declaration by the Minister of Power & Energy, Karu Jayasuriya that the championship is closed, there have been thousands who contributed immensely in all aspects to make Sri Lankans feel proud before the world athletic family.

The other factor, which was a decider, was the tremendous interest and enthusiasm shown by spectators and sports loving Sri Lankan public. There has been an unprecedented demand for tickets and passes for the opening and closing ceremonies as well as athletic sessions.

Never in the Sri Lankan history have there been so much of public backing for a sports event. It was a great atmosphere, though thousands of people stayed outside the gates as more than a capacity crowd came to witness the opening ceremony. One special word should go to the Government of the People's Republic of China for that lavish contribution of fireworks worth Rs. 10 million to light up Colombo skies.

Last but not least, we salute the Lankan athletes, who created history by coming out with Sri Lanka's best ever performance at the Asian Championship history - three golds, one silver and two bronze medals. Star sprinter Susanthika Jayasinghe led by example as the captain of the 103-member team from the host nation.

Well done Sri Lanka!

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