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Bernard Perera reporting from Philippines

Sri Lanka athletics reached top spot in Asia in the early seventies when they won the 4 x 400 m relay in a record time. The team then comprised Sunil Gunewardene, W. Wimaladasa, Kosala Sahabandu and A. Premachandra. This resulted in Sri Lanka making a name in Asian athletics.

The downfall of the sport came with the exit of these athletes. Discipline was maintained at its highest levels though we were not able to win medals at international level.

The trend continued for nearly two decades and the emergence of Damayanthi Dharsha, Susanthika Jayasinghe, Sriyani Kulawansa and Sugath Tillekeratne brought back the last prestige in the nineties. They reached peak form and saw many medals being brought to mother Lanka with honour.

During this period too the athletic scene saw few setbacks with officials and athletes in conflict with each other. But some officials managed to sort out these problems through discussion and the athletes were able to concentrate on their events and bring good results during the past few years.

During this period, Lankan officials and coaches were mainly engaged with these athletes, expecting them to continue for ever and did not look beyond them.

But sad to say they never thought that one day these medal winning athletes too have to quit the scene. The present day senior athletes have given their best to bring honour to the country as well as for themselves. At present these senior athletes have come to a stage where they have to compete along with youngsters once they go out of the country.

At this stage they are totally bamboozle on the field as they confront new blood who are being shaped up to follow their seniors. But when the seniors fail to perform the blame comes on the officials and coaches.

The question that arises from this situation is who should be held responsible for the loss? They could have avoided all this provided they thought of the future, grooming young one's to take the places vacated by the seniors. Now the time has come for all responsible to have second thoughts on this matter.

It is high time that those responsible take remedial measures to overcome this problem and to be among the top athletic countries in the Asian region before looking forward to other international meets.

The Ministry of Sports had a big hand in assisting the Lankan athletes but no good use has been made of it. People may blame the governing body for not fielding a strong set of athletes. This should not be the case, because officials are elected for a year, and if success is shown by the athletes they are re-elected. Then again when the athletes fail they are thrown out of office. As a result of this a new set of office bearers are left with no avenues but to go ahead with the same set of sportsmen and women. This cannot go any further.

A new programme should be made available for all concerned to go further in developing the sports in Sri Lanka. Here the coaches too have a vital role to play in preparing future athletes.

They have a duty to perform and should always be in touch with the governing body if they are to produce the best for the country as well as for themselves.

These officials and coaches have another important job in their hands to discipline the boys and girls under them. At the recent Asian championships our contingent was never seen together. Seniors were keeping away from the juniors.

This should not be the case. They are all sent to represent the country, with honour. Whether it's a senior or junior member Lankans should be there to boost the morale of our athletes. This was not to be seen in Manila. This lapse has to be corrected as early as possible. The athletes are given the fullest mobility through the media. But when they do not perform well it is the media's duty to expose them. Nowadays specially the so-called seniors are not willing to face criticism.

It is time that the officials set guidelines to all sportsmen and women to maintain discipline at all times. As everyone knows the media is capable of playing a vital role in this regard which is a fact accepted by all.

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