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By Bernard Perera

"The 6th Asian Congress of Sports Medicine is to be held in Sri Lanka from October 23 to 26 at the Colombo Plaza, said President of the Sri Lanka Sports Medicine Association, Prof. Rohana Jayasekera at the launch at Sports Ministry Auditorium on Tuesday.

The Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Johnston Fernando was the chief guest. Prof. Jayasekera said: "Sri Lanka Sports Medicine Association has worked hard to win the bid to host the Congress where Japan was the other bidder. He added that Sri Lanka is to harvest a rich knowledge on Sports Medicine with holding of the Congress where around 50 foreign participants billed to converge from all parts of Asia. Though Sri Lanka is not to gain anything financially the knowledge that could be gained cannot be valued with rupees."

At this Congress East-West will meet to impart their knowledge on sports medicine, he said. The theme of the Congress will be Sports Medicine for Health and Fitness, he said.

Dr. C. Thurairajah addressing the gathering explained the intended targets of Congress that would be of immense value to the country at large. He said that Sports Medicine Association which commenced its activities in 1991 has done voluntary service to sportsmen and women to reach higher levels. This he said was done silently as this association never looked for publicity and financial gains.

Though it was a silent service the international counterpart have recognised the valued service rendered by the association and we were given the opportunity to host this Congress.

This Congress happens to be the first and the biggest on the Sports Medicine category, he noted.

"The Congress is sure to give us the opportunity to upgrade our standards in Sports Medicine," he said. This also will help our doctors and physios exchange ideas with foreign experts while gaining extending their knowledge on modern technology.

Dr. Thurairajah further added that the Congress is not solely meant for sportsmen and women but also for other categories such as women, children, elderly, disabled and asthmatics.

The Congress will pay special attention on health and fitness for which they are to conduct symposium for the public to educate them on sport medicine, he said.

Answering a question Dr. Thurairajah said his association is planning to join hands with Sports Medicine Unit of the Sports Ministry. At present he said we have 38 doctors qualified on Sports Medicine with the completion of the Congress we would be able to increase the number to 150, he said.

Minister Johnston Fernando who spoke said that 6th Asian Congress of Sports Medicine could bring in good results not only to sportsmen and women but also to all. The local association which has done a lot towards society now needs the publicity and requested the media to do the needful to make this event a success.

He assured that he is ready to absorb the doctors who qualify on sports medicine to district hospitals with a view to have a better service for the public. "It is not easy as the doctors cadre cannot be changed in quick time but I will consult the authorities concerned to sort out problems, he said.

The association has been in active service for twelve years minus an office. This was brought to the notice during the ceremony and Minister Fernando told that he will settle this issue with a suitable building in a short time so that the association could function smoothly.

He went on to say that the local association has through its silent service won the international recognition. As such it is the duty of the media to contact the foreign delegates to get their views on the association's conduct.

He thanked the Sri Lanka Sports Medicine Association for the great work done to host the Congress and the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd. for coming forward to sponsor the event as media sponsors.

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