DSOs to encourage rural athletes

Nethali STRUYS

The Sports Ministry said that a new program has been implemented to supervise the District Sports Officers who have been appointed by the Ministry to encourage rural athletes. This measure was taken in an attempt to make their service efficient.

The Ministry hopes to take National Sports to the international competitive level. There fore rural athletes too need to be encouraged to participate. For this District Sports Officers service is extremely important the ministry pointed out.

"We believe that part of the responsibility of Fulfilling the target of winning 100 medals for Sri Lanka at the 2018 Commonwealth Games that is expected to be held in Hambantota lies with the District Sports Officers," said the ministry spokesman.

The Sports Minister is to call for a monthly report from the District Sports Officers on the sports activities that are been conducted under these officials as a means to monitor the work in rural arias.

The sports Ministry states that by doing this, the Minister himself will be able to identify the setbacks in these areas, and will pave way for an efficient system to eradicate these problems.

In an attempt to make the 2018 Commonwealth Games a success, the Ministry intends on establishing new sports clubs at the Divisional Secretariat level to implement the National Sports Policy. The main responsibility of these clubs lies with these Sports Officers.

The position of Secretary of these clubs and its powers will hold District Sports officers.

They will be held responsible for the development of sports in each District.

The Sports Ministry hopes these measures will enable the development of Sri Lankan sports.