15th Asian Junior Athletics Championships from today:

Asia's best juniors in contest from today

Chinthana WASALA

Today will be a golden day for junior athletes in the Asian region. It will be more important to Sri Lankans Colombo will host the 15th Asian Junior Athletics Championships for four days from today.

Creating the battle ground for young athletes from the most number of countries in the games' 24 year history, according to statistics, Sugathadasa Stadium will be filled with action and spectators will be looking forward to see records tumble.

There will be 544 junior athletes in action during the four-day athletic extravaganza, representing 34 countries.

The AASL and the Sports Ministry are confident of hosting what they call the best ever Junior Athletic Championship, in the coming days.

The colourful opening which is scheduled to start at 4.00p.m. and the closing ceremony which will start at 6.15p.m. on June 12, will add prestige to the event.

Hundreds of schoolchildren will be featured in the drills and dances, expected to take Sri Lankan identity to the world. Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne will be the Chief Guest at the opening ceremony today. President Rajapaksa will grace the closing ceremony as the Chief Guest on June 12.

The renovated Sugathadasa Stadium and the newly laid track was declared open by Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage few days ago.

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 Sugathadasa stadium and the facilities arranged for athletes and officials participating in the event was satisfied about preperations. Sugathadasa Stadium will receive an 'A' Grade certificate in the coming days.

Big cash awards

Minister Aluthgamage has promised big cash awards for the winning Lankan juniors, marking a significant improvement of recognition for junior athletes.

The gold, silver and bronze medalists will receive Rs 500,000, Rs 300,000 and Rs 150,000 while if the athletes win a relay event, they will be awarded Rs 600,000.

Twenty five per cent of the rewarded money will be paid to respective coaches.