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| Wednesday, 28 January 2004 |
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Ukraine coaches to target junior athletes by Dinesh Weerawansa Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Johnston Fernando said that Sri Lanka has introduced professionalism to local track and field with the arrival of their newly contracted Ukrainian international coaches. Minister Fernando said the three Ukrainian coaches, contracted at a total monthly figure of USD 5,400 each for two years, should be able to put Sri Lanka athletics in good shape. But Minister Fernando reitereated that there could not be any instant results and the success would only come with hardwork and dedication. Shvilli Eugene (jumps), Mykola Baklanov (middle and long distance) and Dmypto Vanyaikin (sprints) will take charge of their respective athletes and coaches. The main target of Sri Lanka's new Ukrainian international coaches will be to make use of the present junior pool to produce top national athletes by 2006. Addressing a media conference at the Ministry auditorium to introduce the three new Ukrainian coaches, Minister Fernando said Sri Lanka athletics should have a bright future with the professionalism given to local athletes. He said the selection of foreign coaches were made considering the requirements and the affordability of the country and their suitability and progress would be monitored. If necessary, there could even be many changes or replacements to coaching panel. But the Sports Minister warned not to expect instant results and said it would take several years to produce a champion athlete. "Do not expect us to perform miracles. It is not going to be like instant noodles. A lot of hard effort and dedication over several years are necessary to produce a world class athlete. This is just the beginning," he said. Minister Fernando said the Sports Ministry would spend Rs. eight million for a year to meet all expenses for the three coaches. He said the Government would give all possible assistance to promote sports and help our sportsmen and women to meet future challenges. President of the Athletic Association of Sri Lanka, Sunil Jayaweera said the three contracted international coaches would be given the national junior pool to start with. "The trio will initially handle the 54-member Sri Lanka junior pool with immediate effect while they would observe the progress of the national pool for one month," he said. Jayaweera said the top national athletes would continue to train with their respective personal coaches for the SAF Games while the Ukrainian internationals would be on advisory capacity. However, the three foreign coaches would take care of the national pool too after the SAF Games. Sri Lanka athletic chief and Chairman of the National Youth Services Council, Jayaweera said Minister assured recently in Parliament that he would get the three foreign athletic coaches before February 15 and that he has kept his promise. The AASL boss also said the Sports Minister has also agreed to sponsor Sydney Olympic medallist Susanthika Jayasinghe with her scheduled pre-Olympic training in the United States. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka has sought Indian assistance to develop the National Sports Institute in Colombo. Minister Fernando has delayed in making a fresh appointment to head the National Sports Institute, following last year's retirement of its director, Yogananda Wijesundara. Minister Fernando said they have invited the retired head of India's National Sports Institute in Patyala to tour here and make a report on the improvements to be made in Colombo. He said the Ministry intends to sign the Indian expert on an advisory capacity. |
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