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| Wednesday, 9 June 2004 |
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Hurdler Kulawansa retires By Dinesh Weerawansa Sri Lanka's senior most national athlete and former captain Sriyani Kulawansa Fonseka made a surprise decision to hang up her spikes just two weeks away from the 2004 Asian Grand Prix Series. Though Kulawansa's retirement was expected after the Asian Grand Prix Series and Athens Olympics, the veteran woman hurdler from Kurunegala shocked everyone when she announced her decision to retire from track and field yesterday. Speaking at a news conference held at Hatton National Bank headquarters yesterday, Kulawansa said that she had come to take this hard and emotional decision after a long thought. She said the time has come for her to retire and make way for the younger generation. Kulawansa entered the local track and field arena as a high jumper, winning the Mahaweli Games in Bakamuna in 1987. She switched over to the women's 100m hurdles, an event she won glory for Sri Lanka. The most valuable amongst her collection of medals she won in nearly two decades of athletics was the women's 100m hurdles silver she won at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kulala Lumpur, Malaysia. Her most impressive performance on home soil was in the women's 100m hurdles where she won a gold medal at the Vth South Asian Games in Colombo in 1991. Her shocking retirement decision came at a time she was expected to run at the Asian Grand Prix Series and qualify for the Olympic Games in Athens in August. She had only to clock 13.11 seconds in any of the three Asian Grand Prix Series meets to be held in Bangkok, Colombo and Manila to qualify. That was a timing which was within her reach. She even took part at the Thai Open last month, eyeing for a possible showdown with her Asian rival Tracia Roberts, but the Thai lass made an eleventh hour withdrawal, giving Kulawansa an easy win in the end. At the 2003 Asian Grand Prix Series, Kulawansa was a close second to Roberts. Kulawansa made her Olympic debut exactly 12 years ago in Barcelona, 1992. She has captained Sri Lanka at many international sports events. At her last international outing - the 9th South Asian Games in Islamabad, Pakistan, she bagged the women's 100m gold to end her distinguish career on a proud note. The celebrated athlete did not give a specific reason for her retirement but said the time has come for her to call it a day and see the new generation of athletes taking over. She said her career was filled with joy and sorrow. She said there were a few heartbreaking instances in her career but she is leaving the track with a joy and a smile. She thanked all those who helped her during her career. Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Jeewan Kumaratunga, who was also present at the occasion, said Kulawansa had made an immense contribution to Sri Lanka athletics and wished her all success in her retirement from the track. He said that he was surprised to see Kulawansa calling it a day before the Asian Grand Prix but said that he was told by the hurdler that she wants to give an opportunity to youngsters. Also present at the occasion were Sri Lanka's 1996 World Cup winning captain and Deputy Minister Arjuna Ranatunga, Sri Lanka cricket captain Marvan Atapattu, Sri Lanka cricketer Chaminda Vaas and Asian Games triple gold medallist Damayanthi Darsha. |
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