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by Dinesh Weerawansa

Services of proper Sports Medicine experts with modern physiotherapy and coaching techniques should help Sri Lanka's aging elite athletes to extend their careers by at least a couple of years. The area of Sports Medicine is a field that Lankans should give better attention as it could put our top sportsmen and women in right shape to bring even more glory to the country.

These were some of the vital views expressed by the Vice President of the Asian Federation of Sports Medicine, Dr. Chelliah Thurairaja, probably the most qualified Sports Medicine expert in Sri Lanka. Counting over four decades of experience in the medical profession, Dr. Thurairaja is an internationally respected figure in the business and is also an executive committee member of the International Sports Medicine Federation (FIMS).

In an exclusive interview with the 'Daily News', Dr. Thurairaja said there are a few qualified sports medicine doctors in Sri Lanka. With a view of affording services of qualified doctors in sports medicine, Sri Lanka Sports Medicine Association (SLSMA) plans to train nearly 125 doctors to take future challenges. Dr. Thurairaja, who is the founder President of the SLSMA said the prospective doctors could enhance their knowledge in this field and become assets to the country in future.

The SLSMA will conduct a two-day workshop in Colombo today and tomorrow at Colombo Plaza for the doctors who are keen to take to Sports Medicine. On completion of the special sessions, the selected doctors could enhance their knowledge further as the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine is to conduct a Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Medicine.

Better known as the man who made a revolution in the field of Sports Medicine during his 35 years of service in Sri Lanka Army's medical corp, Dr. Thurairaja said young doctors who take to Sports Medicine should be given a chance for their career prospects by introducing the specialised area in Government hospitals under a Senior House Officer (SHO) in SM.

Dr. Thurairaja has been a versatile sportsman during his day and is probably the only Sri Lankan to compete in two different sports at Asian level. He played for Sri Lanka basketball team in 1966 Bangkok Asian Games and then went on to represent the country in golf in 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi.

He was also the overall captain of the Sri Lanka contingent for the Asian Games. The veteran Sports Medicine expert has been doing a silent but a valuable service to Sri Lanka's national level sportsmen and women.

Among the hundreds of Sri Lanka sports stars treated by Dr. Thurairaja is Olympic medallist Susanthika Jayasinghe, who recently spoke high of the veteran doctor and the services he has offered. The World Sports Medicine governing body FIMS has often made use of the extensive knowledge of Dr. Thurairaja by selecting him as an instructor for many of their programs world over, including China, South Korea, Iran, Nepal and Pakistan.

A new awareness in the area of Sports Medicine would be generated here with Sri Lanka hosting the 6th Asian Congress of Sports Medicine at the Colombo Plaza on October 25 and 26. Delegates from over 32 Asian countries will be in Colombo for the Asian SMA congress which will be co-sponsored by the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited. It would also coincide with the 75th anniversary celebrations of the FIMS. Sri Lanka SMA, under the presidency of Prof. Rohan Jayasekera, plans to play even a greater role in Sri Lanka sports.

Dr. Thurairaja said Sri Lankan sportsmen and women have brought glory at top world class events over the years due to their individual talents. "But in other countries, it's a joint exercise with support and expertise coming in the areas of sports medicine, coaching, physiotherapy and psychology. When an athlete fails in other countries, his or her doctor too is at fault. But it has been a totally different story here," he said.

The former high-ranking Army medical officer said there are three essential factors to make a champion sportsman - a good coach, trainer & a physiotherapist and a qualified Sports Medicine doctor. "These three factors go hand in hand. Ability of an athlete alone is not sufficient to go places and win on present day highly professional field of sports.

The support and backing of knowledgeable coaching, medical and physical fitness personalities too are necessary to shape up as a top class sportsman or woman," Dr. Thurairaja explained. His aim is to make a better future for Sri Lanka sportsmen and women in the field of Sports Medicine, the trade he has mastered for several decades.

"The personality does not matter. What is needed is a proper set-up so that our athletes have access to knowledgeable doctors in sports medicine. It is an important factor if Sri Lanka is to gain better results as we are competing with the very best of world athletes who enjoy the services of the best medical experts in Sports Medicine," he added.

Internationally, Dr. Thurairaja is a well-known figure in the field of sports medicine. Apart from being a member of the executive committee of FIMS, he is also serving in the Education Commission of the world body FIMS.

He had the rare honour of winning Sri Lanka Defence Services colours in six different sports - cricket (Sara Trophy and Daily News trophy), rugby (vs. Combined Universities & Barbarians XV), badminton, tennis, golf and basketball (last two at international level) - a feat no other defence services sportsman has ever achieved.

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