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By Dinesh Weerawansa

The strength of the Sri Lanka contingent for the forthcoming Asian Games in South Korea has further been increased by 25 members. The new additions will have to meet their total expenses fully either by respective national sports bodies or by individuals.

However, the original 95 members selected will be funded 50% by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, in association with the NOC while the new 25 members were added yesterday, on condition they would meet their full costs.

Accordingly, Sri Lanka will now field a strong 120-member contingent for the 14th Asian Games to be worked off in Busan from September 29 to October 14.

This will be the largest ever contingent by Sri Lanka in the Asian Games history.

The new additions to the Asian games contingent will be in athletics (four officials), Archery (three competitors and an official), Billiards (one competitor), gymnastics (four competitors), Karate (three competitors), rowing (six competitors and an official), tennis (two competitors) and wushu (one competitors). These are in addition to the original 95 members named early this week.

Though four new members were added to the athletic team, all of them have been officials to make it a total of seven to take 16 athletes. The new officials added to the athletic team are coaches Lakshman de Alwis and Bandara, along with AAA officials Saman Kumara (Recorder) and Bernard Perera (Asst. Secretary).

Meanwhile, the Asian Games torch relay in Sri Lanka was worked off in Colombo on Thursday. A group of athletes, led by Commonwealth Games silver medallist Sriyani Kulawansa, commenced the Asian Games torch relay from the Gangaramaya in Colombo to and proceeded to the Independence Square in Colombo 7 for the main official ceremony.

Kulawansa, who led the group handed over the torch to the South Korean Ambassador in Sri Lanka, who in return handed it over to the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Johnston Fernando, who was the chief guest.

Minister Fernando accepted the Asian Games torch on behalf of Sri Lanka and was then handed over to the President of the National Olympic Committee, Hemasiri Fernando.The NOC chief then lighted a special security lamp, provided specially by the Busan Games organisers, with NOC Secretary General, Commander H. U. Silva. The special security lamp with the Games flame was taken to the NOC Office at Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium, where it would be kept for the Sri Lanka contingent to be taken to Korea later this month.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister Fernando wished Korea all success in hosting the Asian Games.

He said Sri Lanka, despite unfavourable economic situation, has given top priority to sports and will send a strong contingent of over 100 members.

NOC President Hemasiri Fernando thanked all those who supported to make the Asian Games torch relay in Sri Lanka a success. The team of athletes who took part in Thursday's torch relay included Kulawansa, Damayanthi Darsha, Sugath Tillakaratne and Rohan Pradeep Kumara.

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