15th Asian Junior Athletic Championship from June 9 to 12:

Cream of Asian athletes to show colours here

Anuradha ABEYSEKERA

Sri Lanka will host one of Asia’s major sports championships, the 15th Asian Junior Athletic Championship from June 9 to 12 at the Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo.

It will showcase talents of over 900 Asian athletes from 36 countries in 44 track and field events. This was revealed during a discussion with the participation of Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Acting Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena at the Media Ministry auditorium yesterday.

Altogether 111 local athletes including 59 men and 52 women will compete in 42 events at the championship. Sri Lanka, as the host country, will be eligible to submit three entries for each individual event.

Minister Aluthgamage said government and private institutions are assisting to stage the mega event. The opening ceremony will be held on June 9 with Prime Minister D M Jayaratne as chief guest. The minister said participating local athletes are undergoing a comprehensive training programme at the Biyagama Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium, under the supervision of local and foreign coaches.

“As the event will be conducted to the highest international standards, we are making plans to attract many rural spectators to popularise athletics throughout the country. Discussions are underway with District Athletic Associations to achieve this goal, including the North and East,” the sports minister said.

He said the Sports Ministry will allocate 20 million rupees for the event while the rest will be covered by public and private institutions’ sponsorships. The whole project is estimated at around 65 million rupees.

The minister said the event will strengthen the Mahinda Chinthana policy by helping create a sporting culture and sports economy while making Sri Lanka a top sports hub in Asia.

Sri Lanka Athletic Association president Major General Daya Ratnayake said there is a scarcity in spectators for athletics comparing to team sports in Sri Lanka.

He hoped to make this event a forum to build enthusiasm on track and field among the masses.

Sri Lankan sprint sensation, Olympic medalist Susanthika Jayasinghe is the Sri Lanka team manager while Sports Ministry Deputy Director Sajith Jayalal will be the head coach. Sampath Jayasena has been appointed the Assistant Manager. Four coaches and eight assistant coaches are to be appointed for the local squad.

Athletes from all districts will carry 24 Olympic torches and will arrive at Independence Square, symbolising the involvement of all parts of the country with the event, before parading to the Sugathadasa Stadium.

Minister Yapa emphasised the importance of the event as an image builder of the country in the international arena after the dawn of peace.

He was of the view that the foreign athletes and media personalities will be good ambassadors to convey the message of peace, hospitality, rich natural and cultural diversity of Sri Lanka to the world.

“Events of this magnitude will boost the country’s economy while developing the tourism industry. Sri Lanka is gaining popularity as a sporting destination in the region and many countries will chose the island as their sporting venues in future,” the Acting Media Minister said.

He ensured that the facilities will be in the highest international standard for the media to cover the event. Visitors will be provided the best accommodation and all needs. Minister Yapa requested local media to provide maximum coverage to the event, considering as an important national task.