President to fete Vidanage today

Dinesh WEERAWANSA

WEIGHTLIFTING: The nation will pay tribute to Sri Lanka's latest sporting hero - weightlifter Chinthana Vidanage, at a state ceremony to be held at the Temple Trees under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapakse today.

Vidanage, who created history by winning a gold medal at the recent Commonwealth Games in Australia, will be felicitated by the sports loving President and his Government.

The champion weightlifter would be awarded Rs. one million from the President's Fund as an appreciation for his historic feat which gave Sri Lanka its first ever international class gold medal in weightlifting.

President Mahinda Rajapakse said Vidanage's achievement should be a good example to talented sportsmen and women in rural areas.

"He has proved the talent of rural youth with a gold medal to maintain Sri Lanka's pride. While congratulating him, I would like to say that it is an eye opener to others on what a great contribution our rural youth could make," he said.

President Rajapakse said Vidanage's feat is an inspiration to our rural sportsmen and women. "The lad beat all odds to win that gold medal. I hope our sportsmen and women would follow this example and work hard, making best use of available facilities," he added.

The President said the Government would provide every possible assistance develop sports and promised a greater helping hand to talented youth in villages.

Vidanage, who hails from a remote village in Polonnaruwa District - Moneratenne, had a total lift of 153kg in clean and jerk category of men's 62kg weight class to emerge victorious in Melbourne Games last month.

Meanwhile, the President of the Weightlifting Association of Sri Lanka, H.M. Gunaratne Banda said Vidanage's feat is a result of a good preparation plan, coupled with talent.

"We commenced our preparations from last June and the association provided every possible assistance to the national poolists. They were provided with nourishment they need. But to achieve this type of success, it should be coupled with dedication and hard work," he said.

Gunaratne Banda, a Director at Ceylinco Insurance who was instrumental in finding lucrative sports sponsorships to many Sri Lanka athletes including Sriyantha Dissanayake and Damayanthi Darsha, said the weightlifting association will continue with their training program to produce several champion lifters within the next few years.