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| Wednesday, 3 September 2003 |
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Long term development plan for athletics Dinesh Weerawansa reporting from France PARIS, Tuesday - Sri Lanka, after their IAAF Championship debacle here, will be looking forward to the future with a long-term development plan, President of the Athletic Association of Sri Lanka (AASL), Sunil Jayaweera said here today. Jayaweera looked a disappointed man after Sri Lanka athletes failed to make their presence felt during the nine-day athletic extravaganza at the Stade de France, Saint Denis. Having taken a lot of pains in ironing out differences amongst top Sri Lanka athletes, Jayaweera now wants to look for the future with a totally new set of talented youngsters. There is no point in putting hard effort on the veterans. We can change their attitudes and thinking. Some even spoil the behaviour of our emerging stars. I am sick of battling it out, trying to iron out the differences of our senior athletes. I now feel my efforts and better concentration on the feeder pools should have better results on the long run, Sri Lanka athletic chief said in an exclusive interview with the Daily News. He said concentrating on the juniors may not bring instant results but Sri Lanka could have a good set of athletes in about three to five years. He would give all support and backing for the skillful athletes who are eager to harness their talent. But all what matters is that they should be dedicated for what they do, determined and make a lot of sacrifices if they want to be elevated to the top,he said. Jayaweera said most top athletes in the world have come the hard way. There are no short cuts. You got to go through the mill. But your dedication and hard work would bring results, glory for you and for your country, Jayaweera advised schoolchildren who dream of being a Sri Lanka athlete in future. The AASL, under the direction of Jayaweera, has already embarked on a massive development plan with the backing of Lanka Cement and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Lanka Cement chairman, Anil Koswatte has been fully backed by Minister G.L. Peiris, under whose Ministry the company comes from. Sports Minister Johnston Fernando too has fully supported the move, of which a successful implementation could take Sri Lanka to a prominent place in the world athletic map. Over 300 athletes at national, intermediate and junior levels are paid a monthly allowances going up to Rs. 20,000/-, apart from the medical and training expenses afforded for them. Jayaweera has high hopes on the project. A man with great organizing skills and made a revolution in Sri Lanka sports with successful conducting of National School Games under his leadership, Jayaweera said their talent search should go for the objective results in a few years time. There are several young players who have shown great promise. But with the experience and proper training, they should be able to make their mark in the big league,he added. Former Sri Lanka national coach and the Manager of the Sri Lanka team to the World Championships here, Dervin Perera too sees a good future for the junior development programme. There are several talented athletes in the pools. We could take care of them and shape up to meet the future challenges, Perera said. Perera said Sri Lanka team failed at the World Championships here in France due to many reasons. Our biggest setback has been injuries to key players. I guess we must pay more attention on that,he said. Veteran ex-Sri Lanka coach for eight long years and the man who produced Sri Lanka one and only World championship medallist so far, Perera said Sri Lanka should fare better at the forthcoming Asian championships in Manila. It provides us a good platform. We could identify the real talent we have there and train them properly for the next Asian Games in Doha" said Perera. |
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