Medical, ECG tests to be made compulsory for school athletes

YASARATNE GAMAGE

Sports Medicine Unit has informed the Education Ministry to make medical tests and Electro Cardio Graph test (ECG) a compulsory requirement when selecting students for school sports events, the Sports Ministry revealed.

Sports Medicine Unit Director Prof. Arjuna de Silva said that although a proper medical test should be conducted when selecting students for school sports events and all school authorities have been alerted on the matter previously, lack of such proper procedures result in tragedy.

So far three students have died while taking part in school sports meet events. The Sports Medicine Unit reiterates the importance of a compulsory medical and ECG test for every student who take part in school sports events.

Furthermore the it was noted that coaches and sports in charge teachers of schools should maintain records of physical fitness of their students involved in sports. In general, school authorities should maintain records of physical weaknesses of students who need attention and should not select them for sports events.

To erase the unevenness and to bring school sports into the right track, a cabinet proposal was also approved and the Sports Ministry hopes to work on a new scheme to uplift entire sports environment in schools.