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15th Asian Junior Athletic Championships :
Sugathadasa Stadium ready
Chinthana WASALA
The renovated Sugathadasa Stadium and the newly laid track was
declared open by Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage. The new track
was opened, displaying progress of Sri Lanka's preparations for the 15th
Asian Junior Athleti Championships which will be held from June 09 to
12, in Colombo.
The track has been laid according to the international standards and
it will be ready to host all major international athletic events.
The Asian Athletic Association delegation which observed the
renovated Sugathadasa stadium and the facilities arranged for athletes
and officials participating in the event was satisfied about the newly
built track, said Harsh B. Abeykone, Media Secretary of the ministry.
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Sports Minister Mahindanada Aluthgamage opening the
renovated track at the Sugathadasa Stadium. |
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Veteran athletes, including Olympic Silver medalist Susanthika
Jayasinghe,
former athletes Sriyani Kulawansa, Sugath Thillakarathne, Sunil
Gunawardena
and S L B Rosa completing the first run on the new track.
Pictures by Palitha
Gunasena |
A four-member delegation led by Maurice R. Nicholas, the Secretary
and the Treasurer of the Asian Athletic Association visited the country
after giving green light to host the major sports event which will
feature the cream of junior athletes in Asia.
The Stadium did not host any kind of meet for almost two years due to
the construction within the premises but now Sri Lanka's premier
athletic venue has been upgraded in terms facilities and an ‘A’ grade
track. According to Dharmasiri Rahubadda of Gahakola Landscaping, who
constructed the stadium, the raw materials used to build this track were
imported and a five year assurance has also been given.Olympic Silver
Medalist Susanthika Jayasinghe, former athletes Sugath Thilakaratne,
Sriyani Kulawansa and S. L.B. Rosa were also present at the occasion. |
