How come injured Ambepitiya took wing to China?

Elmo RODRIGOPULLE

A sportsman in any field of sport has to be 100 percent fit to compete in his chosen field. If he is injured or is unfit, then there is no way that he can perform. That is common sense.

Then how come that athlete Sehan Ambepitiya took wing to the Asian Games in China with the rest of the contingent carrying an injury and once there having to skip his pet events the 100 and 200 metres saying he is injured. According to the Manager of the Sri Lankan contingent Prema Pinnewela, Ambepitiya could be asked to run in the relay event. If he cannot run in his pet events how come he can be fit to run the relay? Relay is also running, not having a leisure walk in the park.

Relay runners

Even if he is to run in the relay ,he has to train with the other relay runners. Now that he is injured how can he train? Simple.simple thinking Mr Pinnewela.

Now what thinking is this? Isn't it insensible thinking. Having been an athlete himself Pinnewela should have known better.

Ambepitiya who seems to be carrying this injury for some time now had to even pull out of his events in the Commonwealth Games. It was not so long

ago that the CGames were held.

Ample time

Had the athlete ample time to recover from his injury? How come that his handlers passed him fit to go to China? Was he put through a fitness test before being picked?

These are pertinent questions to which sports fans seek answers. NOC Chief Hemasiri Fernando is on record saying that a contingent should not be sent to any Games just for the sake of sending. Fernando is correct. After all it is big money that is being spent to send a team.

When contacted in China the NOC chief Hemasiri Fernando expressed surprise as to how come an injured Ambepitiya was taken to China. According to Legal Consultant of the NOC Attorney at Law Upula Fernando, the noc chief had expressed dissatisfaction and on his return would hold an inquiry as to how Ambepitiya went to the Asian Games without passing a fitness test.

Prospects

Medal prospects, yes. Sending the rest on joy or sight seeing trips is not acceptable.

It will be interesting to watch who will stand up and take responsibility for this faux pas. Minister of Sport C B Ratnayake who

is keen to see sport progress and prosper must ask for explanations from those concerned and appropriate action taken.